Gossamer is set to recoup those losses
Gossamer can redeem her lofty reputation with victory under her ideal conditions in this Sunday's Entenmann's Irish 1,000 Guineas.
The Luca Cumani-trained winter favourite for Newmarket's version of the mile classic ran better in that race than her finishing position of eighth would suggest. Neither a sound surface nor a tardy early pace were in her favour, particularly given she was slow to leave the stalls and then held up in rear.
She did make some headway two furlongs out, but had lost the initiative to those fillies and was a spent force when stumbling just over a furlong out. The only worry is how little she has grown but at 9-4 here, she's a more realistic price than Newmarket's 11-8.
French 1,000 Guineas heroine Zenda should not be under-estimated. Handler John Gosden pulled off the leap from Windsor maiden to classic success, but it was no fluke. This filly made virtually all and those who tried to live with her speed and strength were put to the sword. But, although it was soft ground at Longchamp, Zenda was uncomfortable on heavy at Doncaster last October. If it comes up bottomless at the Curragh, she may struggle.
Kournakova looks the danger. She stayed on strongly behind Sulk in holding ground in a Longchamp Group One last October and made an encouraging return to action when second to Rum Charger. Andre Fabre's Heat Haze also commands respect.
Big-race selections: 1, Gossamer; 2, Kournakova; 3, Alasha.
