Intricately bids for 1000 Guineas

Joseph O'Brien is looking forward to saddling his first Classic runner when Intricately bids for glory in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.

The 23-year-old enjoyed multiple Classic victories during his relatively short but distinguished riding career, most notably steering Camelot to win the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby in 2012.

O'Brien enjoyed a sensational start to his new career last June when firing out a four-timer from seven runners on his first day as a fully-fledged trainer.

Intricately became his first Group One winner when causing a 25-1 upset in September's Moyglare Stud Stakes, notably beating 1000 Guineas favourite Rhododendron, trained by O'Brien's father, Aidan, into third place.

A trip to the Breeders' Cup proved a step too far, but O'Brien was satisfied with his filly's comeback effort when fourth in last month's 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown and is expecting her to raise he game on the Rowley Mile.

O'Brien said: "The filly is in good form and all being well she'll run at Newmarket, that's the plan.

"We were happy with her run in Leopardstown. It was a competitive race, she ran well and we'd be hoping she'll come on from it.

"We're looking forward to Sunday and we'll see what happens."

James Tate believes Urban Fox has each-way prospects in the first fillies' Classic of the year following her better than expected seasonal debut.

The Newmarket handler was delighted with her reappearance in finishing second to Dabyah in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury as she had suffered a setback in the build-up to the race.

While Tate was hoping she would do herself justice, he did not expect such a good effort from the filly who acquitted herself admirably against the best of her generation as a juvenile, as illustrated by her third place behind Rhododendron in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket on her final outing.

Rhododendron heads the 1000 Guineas market at around 9-4, while Urban Fox can be backed at 50-1.

"She's in great form. She had an interrupted preparation for her trial at Newbury, so she ran better than expected and has come out of the race really well," said Tate.

"She'd had a foot problem and was barely fit to run. In the circumstances I thought she ran really well.

"She was placed in the Fillies' Mile and I'd be afraid of the Irish horses but not a lot else.

"I think we've got a good each-way chance."

Talaayeb may be the most inexperienced filly left in the line-up but trainer Owen Burrows feels she deserves her chance.

The daughter of Dansili, owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, certainly looked a promising sort when making a winning debut at headquarters in September and has done nothing but please connections in the build-up.

"I am very happy with Talaayeb, although I realise it is a big ask to go straight from a maiden race to a Classic like the 1000 Guineas," said Burrows.

"I never planned to run her in a prep race because she is not the type of filly to take a lot of work and the trial races come up quickly enough before the Guineas itself.

"Her racecourse gallop was not a serious bit of work, it was just a leg stretch, but it allowed Jim Crowley to sit on her, as he has done once at home as well, and he was very pleased with how she felt.

"Her home work has all been on the bridle and her whole temperament and demeanour has always been very professional."