3 minute read

Trainer Jim Bolger is hoping Lucida can give him a second success in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3.

The Coolcullen handler struck with Finsceal Beo in 2007 and has been following the same route he took with that filly.

Lucida stamped herself as a leading Guineas candidate by landing the Group Two Shadwell Rockfel Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket in September - the same race that Bolger used for Finsceal Beo as a springboard to Guineas glory.

"Lucida is very well and is on target for the 1000 Guineas. I am very pleased with her," said Bolger.

"We have decided to send here there without another run as I wanted to follow the same route as I did with Finsceal Beo.

"It is difficult to compare the two as they are different types of filly and Finsceal Beo had already won a Group One in Paris by this stage, but Lucida's performance was good when she won the Rockfel.

"Stellar Glow, my other remaining 1000 Guineas entry, is not an intended runner."

Lucida was one of nine Irish-trained fillies among the 25 remaining entries following the latest scratching stage.

All the major contenders stood their ground, most notably the top two in the ante-post betting, Found and Together Forever, both trained by Aidan O'Brien.

The home team is led by last week's Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Osaila and the first three home in Newbury's Fred Darling Stakes - Redstart, Jellicle Ball and Tiggy Wiggy.