Date: Sunday 4th May 2025
The 1000 Guineas has not been a kind race for favourites in recent seasons and again looks a contest where the obvious form has to be tested carefully rather than followed blindly.
Previous Newmarket experience, solid mile form and Group-race quality remain the major building blocks. The Fillies’ Mile and the Nell Gwyn are still the standout trial races, but the market has often overreacted to the more obvious juvenile reputations.
These are the three that come out strongest on the Turf Talk figures.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Desert Flower | 227 |
| Flight | 214 |
| Simmering | 208 |
| Chantilly Lace | 197 |
| Elwateen | 189 |
The ratings favour the stronger juvenile Group form and again place a premium on fillies who already look comfortable over a mile.
MAIN SELECTION
Desert Flower (11/8 available)
She comes out clear top on the figures and has the strongest overall profile in the race.
Her juvenile form is the standout piece of evidence, she has the right class for a Classic and already looks the type who should be well suited by the Rowley Mile. Short enough, but very solid on the trends and the form.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Flight (14/1 available)
Not the obvious one in the market, but one who makes a lot of sense on the broader profile.
She had enough class as a juvenile to suggest she belonged in this company and looked the type who could improve sharply as a three-year-old. The price makes her far more interesting than some shorter alternatives.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Simmering (20/1 available)
Another at a bigger price who appeals more on the trends than the market suggests.
She has enough form and experience to fit the stronger historical patterns and looks the sort to outrun bigger odds if handling the step into a Classic. Not the obvious winner on paper, but not one to dismiss lightly.
SUMMARY
Desert Flower heads the ratings and looks the most solid on the established Guineas profile, with Flight and Simmering both making more appeal than their prices suggest in a race where favourites have not always delivered.
Date: Sunday 3rd May 2026
The 1000 Guineas is rarely as straightforward as the market expects and recent renewals have shown that strongly enough. Only two favourites have landed the race in the last twelve runnings and only five winners came from the first three in the betting.
What still matters are the basics. A filly with proper mile form, a rating of at least 106, previous Group form and ideally some experience at Newmarket. The Fillies’ Mile remains one of the strongest trial races and previous course form is a big positive.
These are the three that come out strongest on the Turf Talk figures.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Precise | 224 |
| True Love | 214 |
| The Prettiest Star | 203 |
| Timeforshowcasing | 191 |
| Dance To The Music | 186 |
The ratings lean towards the stronger juvenile Group form and previous Newmarket evidence, with the Fillies’ Mile line once again looking the safest route into the race.
MAIN SELECTION
Precise (7/2 available)
She comes out clear top on the ratings and looks to have the most solid Classic profile in the field.
The Fillies’ Mile angle has been a strong one in this race and she brings exactly the type of juvenile Group 1 form that tends to stand up well. She has the right rating, the right mile credentials and already knows Newmarket.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
True Love (6/1 available)
A filly with a serious amount of class and the type of Group form that demands respect.
She has the right quality on paper and if she settles and sees the mile out properly she could easily be the one to give the selection most to think about. Not quite as straightforward a fit on the trends, but too talented to ignore.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
The Prettiest Star (12/1 available)
A more interesting price and one who appeals as the type to outrun market expectations.
She does not have quite the same obvious profile as the leading pair, but she has enough ability to get involved and looks the sort who could improve again for the step into a Classic. In a race where the market does not always get it right, she makes some appeal.
SUMMARY
Precise comes out best on the proven mile and Newmarket angles, with True Love the obvious danger on class and The Prettiest Star the one at a bigger price who could improve past market expectations.
