Trainer Jim Bolger has left the Irish 1,000 Guineas betting markets in disarray, after declaring top filly Lush Lashes as one of the 20 fillies set to compete in Sunday’s Classic. Jim Bolger had previously indicated that his Musidora Stakes winner would skip the Irish 1,000 Guineas in favour of a run in the Oaks.

Bolger’s comments meant that Lush Lashes had been largely absent from Irish 1,000 Guineas betting markets, and her possible participation on Sunday is set to throw markets into chaos as bookmakers scramble to assimilate the potential race favourite.

“I don’t think any of us were expecting it, in all fairness,” was the response of race sponsor spokesman Leon Blanche. “Jim, of course, also has Saoirse Abu, a Group One winner, in the race and I suppose he’s keeping his options open until the last possible moment.”

Bolger’s decision to keep Lush Lashes in the running for the Irish 1,000 Guineas is not the first surprise he has sprung on bookmakers this season. Earlier in the year Bolger threw a spanner into the works in the Epsom Derby betting markets when he indicated that market leader New Approach would not be participating in the race.