We bring you a preview of the 1000 Guineas – which comes 24 hours after the 2000 Guineas and is also run  over the ‘Rowley’ mile.

Newmarket is the host of the big event for Fillies, and we take a look at the field with our racing expert The Duke and BoyleSport’s Leon Blanche.

Rhododendron one of 14 fillies declared for the Qipco 1000 Guineas @NewmarketRace on Sunday pic.twitter.com/7HbL7sKI0N

— PA Racing (@PAracing) May 5, 2017

THE DUKE

Betting on this race all comes down to whether you think Rhododendron is worth backing.

Her performance in the Dubai Fillies’ Mile back in October was her best performance and she looked more the finished article. If she’s continued progressing over the winter, then she could be really tough to beat.

Speaking of Winter, and for that matter, Hydrangea and Intricately – they all tie in quite closely on form. Intricately and Hydrangea both beat Rhododendron in the Moyglare at the Curragh in September, yet are double figure odds.

Winter was just a head behind Hydrangea last month at Leopardstown. You could argue there’s some value in backing any of those against the favourite, but I suspect we haven’t seen the best of Rhododendron yet.

Roger Charlton has started the season well and has Fair Eva, a daughter of Frankel. She caught the eye for me in her first two runs last season and if I scratch around in my drawers somewhere (not like that), there’s a small antepost bet on her for the Guineas. But I wouldn’t be placing money on her now, as she was beaten fair and square in a couple of races that were weaker than this.

Talaayeb has only raced once and although she didn’t get clock-watchers raving, it was an eye-catching performance when she won her maiden at Newmarket in September. She’s not been seen since which is a bit of a concern, but I think she rates a small each-way bet based on her limitless potential.

At long odds, Urban Sea is once again a bit overpriced, as is Unforgetable Filly who wasn’t far behind Daban in the Nell Gwyn last time. Daban is trained by John Gosden who is a master at bringing horses to their full potential over time. I think she rates the most likely danger to Rhododendron, but I just can’t get away from the favourite. I think she’s the best horse in the race.

WIN – Rhododendron

E/W – Talaayeb

THE BOOKIE – BoyleSports’ Leon Blanche

Rhododendron is the favourite and anyone who saw her win last year in the Fillies’ Mile over course and distance, and you would have to have been impressed with her.

But the story of this race is the Gamble on Aidan O’Brien’s over horse Winter – she was beaten by Hydrangea a short head in the trial but if the money is anything to go by, she is the one to watch.

An intriguing runner too is John Gosden’s horse Daban, she has only had two runs but she was an eye catching winner of the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Good to Firm ground, I thought there could still be plenty of improvement too.

This race has been known to throw up a few surprises and Fair Eva, there has been so much talk about her, a daughter of Frankel – she was very good early on winning two races – she has a little to prove, maybe the season has caught up on her, but is one to consider. We will see plenty of doubles on Rhododendron and Chruchill, but this Fillies’ race is open and will be harder to pick a winner for sure.