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Hayes hoping Swelter can burn off Classic rivals at the weekend

Chris HayesChris Hayes
© Healy Racing Photos

Chris Hayes is looking forward to riding the unbeaten Swelter for Dermot Weld and Juddmonte in Sunday’s Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The Kingman filly won her only started at two over a mile at Leopardstown and then showed plenty of speed when dropping down to seven furlongs to hold off Exactly in a Group Three on her return, with that rival subsequently beaten just over a length in the French Guineas.

“We’re still a few days away and I’ll have a sit on her in the week, we’ll obviously be conscious of the weather,” said Hayes.

“The form of her trial has worked out well, she’s an exciting filly.

“She had one start last year and was impressive in that. It was nice to see her drop back a furlong and quicken up in the manner she did off a fast pace, in a race where the form has really worked out with the third, fourth and fifth all running well since.

“I’m very much looking forward to it.”

There is a strong challenge from the UK to overcome, with Ollie Sangster leaving in both Flight and Simmering, second and third to Desert Flower in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Archie Watson could also run Duty First, so impressive in the Fred Darling but a disappointment in the Classic.

Donnacha O’Brien has supplemented his unbeaten filly Atsila while his father Aidan still has four of the 14 in contention including Lake Victoria, sixth on her seasonal return at Newmarket after a stellar juvenile campaign.

Royal Ascot winner Bedtime Story, Exactly and January could also run.

Paddy Twomey’s City of Memphis, winner of her only start, is another supplementary entry while Adrian Murray has two possibles in California Dreamer and Jaliyah.

Cercene and Tamam Desert have also been confirmed.