Godolphin double-handed in fascinating 1000 Guineas

Soliloquy, who is in a strong position to justify her supplementary entry fee, will be joined by Godolphin stablemate Wild Illusion in dual assault on Sunday’s G1 1000 Guineas on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile.

Trainer Charlie Appleby gave both fillies the green light after discussing plans with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed late Thursday.

William Buick rides G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Soliloquy, while James Doyle will be aboard Wild Illusion.

The ground on the Rowley Mile can often quicken up noticeably at this meeting but Appleby walked the course and is satisfied it will be suitable for Wild Illusion to make her seasonal debut.

“By Sunday, it should be beautiful ground, and we are happy for her to run if that is the case,” the trainer pointed out.

Appleby sees Wild Illusion in the long-term as an Oaks prospect, but several serious contenders for Epsom have run well in the Guineas.

Meanwhile, Appleby has been talking up the chances of Soliloquy, who comes to the fillies’ Classic off the back of a fine win in the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes, over seven furlongs, at Newmarket last month.

“Her prep for the 1000 Guineas has gone well. She was quite an impressive trial winner in the Nell Gwyn and she ticks a lot of boxes,” he pointed out.

“You can’t beat experience, and she has already shown what she can do on the Rowley Mile. She showed a good turn-of-foot,” he said.

One of the strong fancies in the fillies’ Classic is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Happily, who beat the colts in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly in October but then finished last in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar.

The Karl Burke-trained Laurens looked a nice prospect when winning the G1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket last autumn and is a serious danger.