Perfections scares off Guineas rivals

Sagitta 1000 Guineas second Six Perfections will face just seven rivals when the French filly bids to go one better in the Entenmann’s-sponsored Irish equivalent at the Curragh on Sunday.

In the Newmarket Classic Kieren Fallon and Russian Rhythm held off fast-finishing favourite Six Perfections by a length and a half.

Six Perfections, trained at Chantilly by Pascal Bary and ridden by Thierry Thulliez, encountered anything but a trouble-free passage on the Rowley Mile.

To her credit she made up an enormous amount of ground after being in last place two furlongs out to mount a challenge. But it was all in vain as the winner had flown and she could not make up the leeway.

Johnny Murtagh replaces Thulliez on Six Perfections in Sunday’s race.

Connections of Six Perfections, who will be a hot favourite in Ireland, will have been encouraged by the recent rain at the Curragh where the going is unchanged despite a shower overnight.

“The ground is the same as yesterday. Soft on the straight course and yielding to soft on the round course,” said Curragh spokeswoman Niamh Comerford.

“Rain is forecast for today. We are expecting showers so I think the going will remain the same for the weekend.”