'If I had the horses to win here, I would rather win here' - Appleby defends his strategy after sharing Group 1 honours with O'Brien

If a fortune teller had predicted immediately after Royal Ascot that Aidan O'Brien would win the 2025 1,000 Guineas, you would not have been surprised. Had the soothsayer added that O'Brien's winning filly would be neither Fairy Godmother nor Bedtime Story, you might have sought a refund.

Within the space of 24 hours, Fairy Godmother came from an impossible position to take the Albany Stakes in thrilling fashion and Bedtime Story stormed to a nine-and-a-half victory in the Chesham Stakes. In the days following the royal meeting, Bedtime Story was generally a 3-1 shot for the Classic, with Fairy Godmother mostly 5-1. Look at the market now and Fairy Godmother is available at 8-1, while Bedtime Story's supporters can have 14-1. The reason why is Lake Victoria.

Fairy Godmother has drifted despite staying at home, which is where she will stay for the rest of this year. Bedtime Story lost her unbeaten record in the Moyglare Stud Stakes but had a valid excuse having been found to be lame after the race. Lake Victoria swept past her at the Curragh and, just 13 days later, devoured the Rowley Mile hill under Ryan Moore on her way to a second Group 1 triumph in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes. To the naked eye, certainly this naked eye, it was a devastating display.