Kissed By Angels

There was an awful lot to like about the performance that Kissed By Angels put up in winning the 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday. Always travelling well, she moved up on the outside on the run around the home turn, hit the front at the top of the home straight and moved immediately into a two-length lead, before running strongly all the way to the line to win by three and a half from Devonshire, who was two lengths clear of Stormfly, who was, in turn, five lengths clear of the remainder. The form is solid, the second and third had finished first and second in the Group 3 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in April, in front of 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo, and the winning time was good, the fastest of the day.

Regally-bred, by Galileo out of Matron Stakes winner Lillie Langtry, Kissed By Angels had shaped encouragingly on her racecourse debut at Limerick two weeks previously, but this was a significant step forward. She travelled like a classy filly through the race, and the turn of foot that she showed to set up a race-winning advantage. The willing manner in which she kept on all the way to the line was also impressive. She is just an impressive filly all round.

She would be a big player in the Oaks now, if she is allowed to take her chance in that. Aidan O’Brien also has Found and Diamondsandrubies and Together Forever as potentials for the Oaks, so it will be interesting to see how the Ballydoyle Oaks team shapes up. In the meantime, Kissed By Angels will be of interest in whichever race she runs next, even if that race is the Irish 1000 Guineas.

10th May 2015