O'Brien Chases Tenth Irish One Thousand Guineas Win

Aidan O'Brien is chasing the perfect 10.

Peaceful  was the trainer's ninth winner of the Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) last year, and Joan of Arc , who is trying to emulate her big sister Marvellous —successful in 2014—is unquestionably his number one as he bids for double figures May 23 at the Curragh. 

Seen only once as a juvenile when just touched off by Hazel in a Dundalk maiden back in November, Joan of Arc made no mistake on her return to action in a maiden over seven furlongs in March.

Nothing went right from a wide draw in the Ballylinch Stud Priory Belle One Thousand Guineas Trial (G3) next time at Leopardstown, but she was a different filly back at that venue a fortnight ago when making all in another trial for the first Irish fillies' classic of the season.

O'Brien said: "Joan of Arc is in very good form and we were delighted with the way she won at Leopardstown. This has been the plan since then and her preparation has gone well."

Marvellous was seemingly the Ballydoyle second string when she landed the spoils in 2014, so rule out Empress Josephine  at your peril.

O'Brien said of Seamie Heffernan's mount: "It was a mile and one and a half furlongs at Gowran last time when she was second and she is back to a mile here. She's been in good form since and we're happy with her."

The O'Brien challenge is completed by the 81-rated Friendly, who remains a maiden after seven starts and is reported to be in good form by her trainer.

Fev Rover Team Confident of Big Run 

Fev Rover 's co-owner Nick Bradley has been refreshingly honest in admitting he would be "disappointed" if his filly did not finish in the first three. 

Bradley says the pressure has been turned up a notch as the daughter of Gutaifan , who was snapped up for just £20,000 (US$24,580) as a yearling in 2019, is being quoted as low as 9-2 for the classic. 

Fev Rover has every right to be so short. Not only was she a close-up third to Mother Earth  in the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, and one spot ahead of Cazoo Oaks (G1) favorite Santa Barbara, but she has form on deep ground.

Fev Rover won the Shadwell Prix du Calvados (G2) at Deauville on what was officially described as very soft ground in late August and was fourth in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac-Criterium des Pouliches (G1) on heavy ground on Arc day at Longchamp. It seems she will relish conditions.

Bradley said: "Newmarket took plenty out of her, but she worked very well on Tuesday and the lad who rides her every day said she's back to where she was before the One Thousand Guineas.

"When you get to this kind of level and they're fancied, there's a bit more pressure on you. I'd be disappointed if she doesn't finish in the first three, something I've certainly never said in a classic before."