Undefeated Inspiral to Skip One Thousand Guineas

Aidan O'Brien's grip on the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) tightened April 24 after long-time ante-post favorite Inspiral  was ruled out of the classic by joint-trainer John Gosden.

Inspiral had been supplanted as favorite for the race on Friday by the O'Brien-trained Tenebrism  after Chris Richardson, managing director to Inspiral's owner Cheveley Park Stud, had talked of the spring not being "100% straightforward."

Sunday's news—revealed by Racing Post—of Inspiral's absence prompted bookmakers to cut Tenebrism, last year's Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) winner, to 5-2 (from 3-1). O'Brien is also responsible for Tuesday, at 8-1 on the program, as the trainer seeks his sixth victory in the race in the last seven years.

Gosden revealed that Inspiral, last year's unbeaten champion 2-year-old filly, would not be confirmed for the first fillies' classic following discussions with Richardson and Cheveley Park owner Patricia Thompson.

"Having consulted Mrs. Thompson and Chris Richardson, a decision has been made not to run Inspiral in the One Thousand Guineas," said Gosden, who trains along with son Thady. "She missed some days training at a critical stage of her preparation and although she is well in herself now, we don't have her at the correct pitch to run in the Guineas."

Speaking exclusively to Racing Post, he added: "The focus now will be on the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, with probably a run beforehand. Obviously we had to make the right decision for the filly."

Inspiral won four times last season, landing the listed Star Stakes at Sandown before progressing to take the group 2 Cazoo May Hill and the group 1 Bet365 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.

The daughter of Frankel  had been confirmed alongside 20 others for the One Thousand Guineas on Wednesday, although outsiders Rosacea  and Who Knows  have since been scratched prior to Monday's confirmation stage.

With Inspiral not lining up May 1, the betting is dominated by horses trained in Ireland, with Discoveries  and Homeless Songs  also at single-figure odds along with the O'Brien pair.

Discoveries, last year's Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) winner, was the subject of a positive bulletin from her rider Shane Foley. He said the Jessica Harrington-trained 6-1 second favorite heads to the One Thousand Guineas with a leading chance.

"Discoveries has been pleasing us at home," Foley said. "She only goes through the motions but seems to have done well and has got strong physically. She's done very well from two to three, she goes there with Group 1 form and has to have a big chance.

“It would be massive (to ride a British classic winner), he continued. "I’ve won a couple of Guineas in Ireland but to go and win one in Newmarket would be unbelievable.”

Mise En Scene  and Cachet  are the shortest-priced British-trained fillies in betting for the classic.

Inspiral's absence was labelled "disappointing" by David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, although he conceded it boosted the chance of the operation's filly Mise En Scene, who is a 11-1 shot.

"It's disappointing for the race and the sponsor that Inspiral, who was the best 2-year-old last year, won't be turning up," he said. "Hopefully we'll see her later in the season but it certainly gives us a better chance."

Cachet is around a 14-1 shot following her success in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (G3) at Newmarket during the Craven meeting.

“I personally think she stays the mile. I think in the Guineas she could take on fillies that stay the mile better and might be 10-furlong horses which might make her look like she doesn’t stay as well, but I’d be pretty hopeful she stays the trip," George Boughey, who trains the filly for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said. “She's a well-balanced filly and loves it at Newmarket. She's not been out of the first three on all her starts at the Rowley Mile having won her maiden, finished second in the Rockfel and third in the Fillies’ Mile. That's got to be a huge help.”