Minding will bid for a Classic double at the Curragh on Sunday after surprisingly starring among 14 fillies declared for the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.
The daughter of Galileo led home a one-two-three for trainer Aidan O'Brien in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago, with Ballydoyle and Alice Springs filling out the places.
Ballydoyle was the stable’s anticipated number one hope for the Irish equivalent, with Minding widely expected to head straight for next month’s Investec Oaks at Epsom, but plans changed on Friday morning after Ballydoyle returned an unsatisfactory blood test.
O’Brien said: “Obviously it was a change of heart when Ballydoyle’s blood came in wrong this morning.
“Out of all the runners that we had done this morning, just the two of them were wrong, her and Vancouver (intended runner in Greenlands Stakes).”
Minding is joined by stable companions Coolmore, Californiadreaming and Pretty Perfect.
Leading the challenge to Minding is Michael O’Callaghan’s hugely impressive 1,000 Guineas Trial winner Now Or Never and Jim Bolger’s Newmarket sixth Turret Rocks.
Kevin Prendergast runs Cool Thunder, who bolted up on her only previous appearance in a Naas maiden last October.
“Going up in trip would be the worry for her, but she’s in good shape,” said Prendergast.
“She was very good when she won in Naas and I’m hoping she’ll run a good race.”
The two British-trained contenders are Kevin Ryan’s Ashadihan and Czabo from Mick Channon’s yard.
