Lily heads 21 in fillies' classic

Shanghai Lily heads a field of 21 declared for Sunday’s UltimatePoker.com 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The King’s Best filly is one of two runners for trainer Michael Stoute and owners Cheveley Park Stud as they also run Echelon in the mile Classic.

Shanghai Lily took over at the head of the market after long-time favourite Damson was ruled out on Wednesday after scoping badly.

John Gosden’s Nell Gwyn winner Karen’s Caper is also well fancied though and she is declared along with the David Elsworth-trained Cape Columbine, who finished second in the Classic trial.

Elsworth also saddles Simply Sunshine, winner of a Newbury maiden on her only start earlier this month.

Godolphin will be represented by Satin Kiss, twice a winner in Dubai, and Kempton maiden winner Fen Shui.

Barry Hills runs Maids Causeway while Aidan O’Brien’s sole raider is Virginia Waters, winner of the 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown last time.

Penkenna Princess, winner of the Fred Darling Stakes, represents Ralph Beckett while Jim Bolger’s Pictavia, the Frances Crowley-trained Saoire and Eamon Tyrell’s Slip Dance make up the Irish team along with Virginia Waters.

Mick Channon will be double-handed with Joint Aspiration and Love Thirty while Mark Johnston, who won the race last year with Attraction, relies on Market Trend.

As expected, Damson and the Brian Meehan-trained Magical Romance were the only fillies taken out of the race today.