1000 Guineas hopefuls set to face off in Nell Gwyn

There will be plenty of 1000 Guineas clues on offer at Newmarket, with leading ante-post fancies set to face off in the Nell Gwyn.

Of those, Richard Hannon’s Sky Lantern is potentially the most exciting.

10/1 for the 1000 Guineas, she was a beaten favourite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita on her last outing. However, she was unable to get a clear run and backers will be more than willing to forgive that form.

The original plan had been for Hannon’s charge to head to Newbury to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes. However, with the going likely to be unsuitable, the trainer has instead opted to go to Newmarket for the good ground.

That last minute change should not put backers off, as she will have been fully prepared for a big race either way as Hannon bids to win this race for the second time in as many years.

However, she will now be giving away 3lb all-round due to her Group 1 success in the Moyglare Stakes.

This could be more of a cause for concern – only two of the last seven winners have carried a penalty. Also, none of the last fourteen winners have been able to overcome a draw wider than 11 and Sky Lantern comes out of stall 14.

Hannon’s fancy will come up against Nargys, who is priced at 20/1 for the 1000 Guineas.

On her last start, Luca Cumani’s charge finished second just behind ante-post joint favourite Just The Judge, who is 6/1, at Newmarket.

Jockey Keiren Fallon felt she was unlucky that day, with the gap closing as she was about to make a winning run up the rail. If that is the case, her price in the Classic at Newmarket next month looks to be a very big one and will surely shorten if she beats Sky Lantern.