Josephine the one if rain starts to pour

4.20, 1m Group 1

If the forecast is correct, it is not inconceivable that Friday’s card could start nearer soft ground than the fast conditions we are set for at the time of writing, and that would favour Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine

Empress Josephine.

Stablemate and Newmarket Guineas winner Mother

Earth currently shades it at the head of the market, but that will surely change if the rain arrives. Empress Josephine has only had the four career starts to Mother Earth’s ten.

Her Curragh victory was her first run in a Group 1 and you’d be hopeful there is more to come.

If the ground remains fast, Aidan O’Brien’s filly would still

have a chance – her sister Minding had some quality form on good to firm – but if the sun continues to beat down, that would bring others into play, including Mother Earth.

Primo Bacio was a very impressive winner of the Michael Seely at York’s Dante meeting, displaying a proper turn of foot. She also was an eyecatcher when a staying-on fourth in the Fred Darling at Newbury over 7f previous to that. The winner of that Group 3 was Alcohol Free, and she could be the each-way value following her fifth in the 1,000 Guineas last month.

Low numbers dominated at HQ that day, and Alcohol

Free was never in the right spot from stall 11. The fact that connections have opted to run here rather than the Commonwealth Cup or the Jersey suggests that they still feel she’s a miler. Being a Group 1 winner over 6f, we know she’s got the speed.

Top-rated is German 1,000 Guineas winner Novemba, but I’m not sure her form merits her being rated as high as 115. Pretty Gorgeous, however, certainly deserves her mark of 112. Last year’s champion twoyear-old filly began her season late, finishing seventh in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She’ll be much better for that run and I’d be disappointed if she didn’t finish closer on this occasion. 1. EMPRESS JOSEPHINE 2. Alcohol Free 3. Mother Earth