Lucida Goes Close In 1000 Guineas

Lucida was narrowly beaten in the first British fillies' Classic, the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, over the straight Rowley Mile at Newmarket on Sunday, May 3.

The three-year-old daughter of Shamardal, trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, stumbled emerging from the stalls and raced second last of the 13 runners under Kevin Manning.

She was asked to make progress after three furlongs when going towards the outside of the field.

Lucida moved up to fourth with two and a half furlongs remaining and took second within another half-furlong.

She hit the front with more than a furlong to race and went into a clear lead before being headed in the closing stages.

Lucida went down by three quarters of a length to Legatissimo, whose time was a fast 1m 34.60s for the mile on ground described as good to firm, firm in places. The Godolphin filly finished four and a half lengths clear of the third Tiggy Wiggy.

Jim Bolger said: "There are no excuses. I'd have to be very happy with Lucida. It would have been lovely to win, but there you go.

"Her next run is more than likely to be the Coronation Stakes (Group One, 1m rnd, Royal Ascot, June 19) but there is a possibility of the 1000 Guineas (Group One, 1m, May 24) at the Curragh in the meantime.

"Kevin said she ran her heart out - he was very happy with her. He thought he had it put to bed at seven and a half furlongs, but the other one came and got by her near the line. Nine years out of 10 that run would have been good enough to win."

Kevin Manning added: "She stumbled out of the stalls and jumped a little bit to the right, but she travelled into the race quite well and there are no real excuses.

"She tried her heart out. I'm happy with her."