Homeless Songs sensational in Irish 1,000 Guineas

Moyglare Stud Farm's Homeless Songs routed the Irish 1,000 Guineas field with a scintillating display under Chris Hayes.

This was her first try at a mile after victories over seven furlongs in a fillies' maiden at Leopardstown last summer, and in a 1,000 Guineas Trial at the same track last month.

The 11/2 shot raced in rear of mid-division on the outer and began to make her move in the final couple of furlongs.

She arrived into the lead racing to the final furlong and soon spread-eagled the field as she powered clear at the business end to win by an impressive five and a half lengths. She gave Dermot Weld his fifth Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Aidan O'Brien 's Tuesday was prominent throughout and took over from Agartha a quarter of a mile from home but she had no answers once Homeless Songs took over. The 11/4 favourite had to settle for second and was half a length clear of her stablemate Concert Hall (15/2).

Hayes said: "I rode her last year when Oisin (Orr) was out injured in a bit of work before the Killavullan (at Leopardstown) and I thought she was as good a two-year-old as I had ridden last year. I thought she would win the Killavullan (sixth), but maybe she was a little bit weak.

"I was delighted to get the call to ride her this year and I'm grateful to Mr Weld and all the team at Rosewell who do a fantastic job.

"Our horses aren't really hitting the boards at the minute and hopefully this is the turning point.

"Where we were drawn is probably the best of the ground. When the draw came out the other day, I was nearly leaping up and down inside in Rosewell!

"It can get a little bit congested down below. She has an extraordinary turn of foot and the last thing I wanted to do was to be looking for gaps. She likes a little bit of room and you saw what she can do.

"There was talk that she would be better with a bend and this and that. My only concern coming into today was would I get a clean run of things. Staying a mile and the ground made no difference as she is a special filly.

"It was nice to get the colts one (Irish 2,000 Guineas on Awtaad in 2016), now we have the fillies' one. Any day you ride a Classic winner is a good day."

Weld added: “My only concern was whether she could carry that speed over a mile but she relaxed beautifully for Chris and he gave her a most perfect ride.

“I said to Eva if she can carry that speed over a mile, she will win the Guineas.

“I’ll discuss it with Eva but the Coronation at Royal Ascot would now be a definite possibility. She’s a great filly to have and the next day will tell us even more.

“She’s not the easiest to keep right but when you have her right she is very good.

“Pat (Smullen) won at Stakes level on her dam and I thought of him today which is also his birthday.

“That is my 27th European Classic and my fifth time to win this race and every Classic is very special and difficult to win. She’s a very special filly.”

Paddy Power halved Homeless Songs from 8/1 to 4/1 for the Coronation Stakes before support saw her contract to 9/4 joint favourite with Inspiral. Additional reporting by Alan Magee