Fantasia to swerve 1,000 Guineas

20 racehorses stood their ground in the second forfeit stage for the 2009 1,000 Guineas on Monday.

The most notable absentee was Nell Gwyn Stakes winner, Fantasia, who was withdrawn from the race by owner George Strawbridge.

Strawbridge has instead opted to run his Fillies’ Mile winner, Rainbow View, in the year’s first Classic. The John Gosden trained filly was installed as the bookies favourite after drifting as far as 8-1 in the betting markets earlier in the day.

“She is fine and worked very well so we don’t know where it has come from,” John Gosden’s racing secretary, Peter Shoemark, told the Press Association.

Chevely Park winner, Serious Attitude, is positioned second in the 1,000 Guineas betting markets, with Alan Bailey’s Aspen Darlin priced third by several bookmakers.

“It looks like it’s going to be a very hot renewal this year but Aspen Darlin has earned a chance to be in the race,” Bailey told the Press Association.

“She was half a length behind Serious Attitude in the Cheveley Park Stakes and people have forgotten that she ran in three Group races in under a month.”