Attraction seeking Guineas history

BOOKMAKERS are unanimous in making Attraction favourite to carve out her own piece of racing history at the Curragh this weekend.

The Mark Johnston-trained filly is on course to become the first horse to complete the Newmarket-Curragh 1000 Guineas double after being added to the field for Sunday’s race at yesterday’s supplementary stage.

Cashmans make the daughter of Efisio a 6-4 chance, although Paddy Power go a more generous 9-4 about her achieving the feat.

Attraction’s owner, the Duke of Roxburghe, has paid the 40,000 fee to include the UltimateBet.com 1000 Guineas winner in the line-up for the Boylesports-sponsored Irish Classic.

Johnston believes she is the best he has trained.

“She is unbeaten in six races from five furlongs to a mile, has won a Classic and she was champion two-year-old filly in Europe. I haven’t had something that has done all that before, so that’s why she’s the best,” he said.

The Middleham trainer has warned that Attraction will not run if the ground was to turn soft, but with the weather set fair she looks like getting her favoured fast conditions.

Sheikh Mohammed’s unbeaten filly Illustrious Miss has also been supplemented for the Irish Guineas.

The David Loder-trained daughter of Kingmambo won on her debut at Newbury last month before easily beating Gonfilia by two and a half lengths in a Group Three contest at Lingfield on her only other start.

Newmarket fifth Secret Charm is on course for the Curragh after pleasing trainer Barry Hills in her work last weekend, but Mick Channon will leave it until the last minute before deciding whether or not Majestic Desert runs.

A total of 24 fillies remain in the one-mile Group One event, including seven from Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Ballydoyle yard. They are Baraka, Follow, Kisses For Me, Last Love, Lucky, Necklace and Royal Tigress.

Paddy Power: 9-4 Attraction, 3-1 Secret Charm, 6-1 Illustrious Miss, 7-1 Majestic Desert, 8-1 Nataliya, 10-1 Necklace, 14-1 Baraka, 16-1 Kinnaird, Alexander Goldrun, Queen Of Palms, 20-1 Last Love, Misty Heights, Red Feather, Takrice, 25-1 Lucky, Royal Tigress, 33-1 bar.

Cashmans: 6-4 Attraction, 2-1 Secret Charm, 3-1 Illustrious Miss, 8-1 Aidan O’Brien stable, 14-1 Alexander Goldrun, 20-1 Misty Heights, 33-1 Red Feather.