All Set For Top-Class Showdown In Stan James 1000 Guineas

Rumplestiltskin and Flashy Wings are set to vie for favouritism in what looks set to be a top-quality renewal of the Stan James 1000 Guineas today at Newmarket.

Rumplestiltskin, last season´s leading juvenile filly, was victorious on five of her six starts.

She finished the campaign with her most impressive display when delivering a withering run inside the final furlong to land the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

The daughter of Danehill comes to Newmarket without a ´prep´ this spring and was available at a top-priced 9-2 with the sponsors.

Flashy Wings, a general 5-1 chance, completed her two-year-old campaign with a couple of reverses, including her third in the Group One Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes here in October.

While that defeat will have come as a disappointment to connections, the flying fashion in which she finished will have softened the blow. The daughter of Zafonic sped up the hill in a manner which suggested she should stretch out and get the mile in the first fillies´ Classic.

There are no stamina concerns at all regarding Nannina, who took the Group One Meon Valley Fillies´ Mile at Newmarket last autumn.

Her trainer John Gosden transferred his operation from Manton to Newmarket earlier this spring and what better way to celebrate the switch than with a fourth Classic success to add to those of Lahan, Benny The Dip and Shantou.

Apart from Rumplestiltskin, the Irish challenge looks a strong one with O´Brien-trained Race For The Stars and Alexander Alliance deserving plenty of respect.

The former has already triumphed at HQ, having landed the seven-furlong Listed Finnforest Oh So Sharp Stakes in good style in October.

Meanwhile, Alexander Alliance will seek to give Tipperary handler Tommy Stack a second Stan James 1000 Guineas victory to go with Las Meninas´s 1994 glory.

She is a half-sister to smart sprinter Ruby Rocket, so her speed isn´t in doubt. But connections have aired concerns over whether she will quite stay the mile.

Godolphin put faith in Silca´s Sister, who won the six-furlong Group One Prix Morny at Deauville in battling fashion last summer when trained by Mick Channon.

Donna Blini, trained by Brian Meehan, won the Sk Bet Cheveley Park Stakes on her last start and will be reopposed by Chris Wall´s Wake Up Maggie, who was second behind her in the six-furlong Group One.

If there is to be a fairytale winner, then look no further than Speciosa, trained on the other side of the Fens by Pam Sly.

The Thorney-based handler - better known for her successes with jumpers - has already tasted victory in illustrious company with her stable star.

By Danehill Dancer, Speciosa bagged the Group Two Owen Brown Rockfel Stakes on the NatWest Rowley Mile course and then returned to the scene to strike in the Group Three Shadwell Nell Gwyn Stakes last month, denting some lofty reputations on the way.

Spinning Queen, trained by Barry Hills, was second to her on that occasion and comes back today for another crack.

Sir Mark Prescott is set to have his first ever domestic Classic runner in the shape of Confidential Lady. Prescott, 35 years with a trainer´s licence, saddles the daughter of Singspiel, who took the Group 3 Prix Du Calvados at Deauville last August.

In a field that has real depth to it, La Chunga represents winning Royal Ascot at York form - the More Than Ready filly won the Group Three Albany Stakes, scalping Rumplestiltskin.

Completing the 13-runner field is Richard Hannon-trained Nasheej, who emerged successful from a photo-finish with Cantabria in the Group Three Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury last month.

Whichever way you look at it, the Stan James 1000 Guineas looks a sparkling event packed full of quality.