Helleborine Out But 30 Stand Their Ground In 1000 Guineas

The Criquette Maarek-Head-trained Helleborine, as short as 8/1 with some firms in the ante-post list for the first fillies' Classic of 2011, is the only notable absentee from the field following the latest declaration stage for the Qipco 1000 Guineas which takes place at Newmarket on May 1, writes Elliot Slater.

Second to Aidan O'Brien's Misty For Me in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on 'Arc' day last October, Helleborine could only finish runner-up to Moonlight Cloud on her seasonal return at Maisons Laffite earlier this month, after which last season's winning 1000 Guineas trainer (Special Duty) suggested that Newmarket might not be ideal for her filly.

Misty For Me, 8/1 joint-third favourite in the horse racing odds, was amongst those who do go forward to the next declaration stage, Sir Michael Stoute's gambled on Havant also being amongst the field and remaining a solid 5/1 ante-post favourite. Whilst Helleborine will not face the starter at HQ, her Maisons Laffite conqueror Moonlight Cloud (6/1) will represent France, with other French raiders set to possibly include Nova Hawk, Nova Step, Immortal Verse and Mixed Intention.

Godolphin's' Blue Bunting , White Moonstone, 8/1 in the online betting, and Zoowraa, were all left in the mile event, whilst Jessica Harrington's well fancied Laughing Lashes (10/1) also goes forward to the next stage. The other leading contender to declare was Richard Hannon's Memory, winner of last season's Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket in July, before flopping when an Evens favourite for the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last August, where she ran a long way below her best.

The signs are that Memory has rained on and is coming back to her best form, and whilst she is a 5/1 joint-favourite with one big firm, she can still be backed at up to 8/1 in places.