Only Jim Bolger knows whether he expected to visit the Newmarket winner’s circle twice over the weekend. In the end he had but one opportunity, which Finsceal Beo seized with rare brilliance when streaking away with the Stan James 1,000 Guineas. With Teofilo resting up at home in Ireland, one half of Bolger’s winter dream came to fruition at a windswept Newmarket yesterday.

It was a dominant performance from a superior athlete. Last year’s champion two-year-old was always well placed before Kevin Manning, Bolger’s long-time lieutenant in the saddle, raised the stakes two furlongs out. The race was settled at that point, affording Bolger plenty of time to reflect on events as his muscular filly stretched 2½ lengths clear of Arch Swing.

If Teofilo’s late 2,000 Guineas defection had dampened his weekend, Bolger never let on. Perhaps he had contemplated the fate of Sander Camillo, who displaced Finsceal Beo as favourite in March but was withdrawn early yesterday when in season. The Irishman intimated as much when he said: “I’ve always said that the 1,000 Guineas is the most difficult race to win. So much depends on things that are out of your hands.”

One suspects Finsceal Beo could handle most opponents when short of her peak. Yet Bolger had the Mr Greely filly perfectly primed against opponents visually short of classic standard. The consequence was a race record time of 1min 34.94sec, which has not been matched by any colt in the 2,000 Guineas. Mind you, a race-fit Teofilo might well have influenced that argument.

It will take an exceptional distaffer to derail Finsceal Beo this season. Bolger is determined to prove as much through a typically busy programme. He put such as Alexander Goldrun, Flame Of Tara and Give Thanks through a series of demanding races that now beckon Finsceal Beo. “This is a brilliant filly,” Bolger said in appreciation. “It has been a traumatic week, but that is history.”

For some years British owners have watched in quiet envy at how owners from Ireland celebrate victory. Phil Cunningham broke the mould on Saturday after his Cockney Rebel landed the 2,000 Guineas, but that served only to raise the bar for Michael Ryan, who owns Finsceal Beo.

Sensibly, the Newmarket executive allowed most of Ryan’s 150-strong travelling posse into the winner’s circle. The payoff came with their proud rendition of Dungarvon, the song commemorating the Co Waterford town from which they hail. It made a pleasant contrast to the more habitual inhabitants of Newmarket’s winner’s circle who are not renowned for ebullient celebrations. Yes, winning classic races can be fun.

The Irish theme extended to the two-year-old maiden, in which Achilles Of Troy, trained by Aidan O’Brien, spread-eagled his opponents in the style of one that will be hard to beat at Royal Ascot. But the day’s heartwarming performance was delivered by last year’s St Leger winner, Sixties Icon, who make a thoroughly convincing return to action in the Jockey Club Stakes.

Kept close to a steady pace by Frankie Dettori, Sixties Icon powered away from Admiral’s Cruise when given his head. In the process he made an eloquent case for consideration in the season’s top races, starting with the Coronation Cup at Epsom. The fact he gave 5lb to the runner-up was the garnish on a three-length triumph.

Rarely has Newmarket’s Guineas weekend yielded such compelling sport, and the two-day fixture closed with an enchanting sense of déjà vu when Ed Dunlop sent out Dalvina to a compehensive victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes over ten furlongs. Dalvina received a fistful of quotes for the Oaks, which Dunlop landed with the last filly he saddled to win this race.

Dalvina has some way to go to emulate Ouija Board, but she has taken the first steps. As one dream reached fruition for Bolger, Dunlop hatched another in its place.

Big-race details

3.25 STAN JAMES 2,000 GUINEAS
(Group I: 3-y-o: £211,352: 1m)

1, Cockney Rebel O Peslier, 25-1
2, Vital Equine C Catlin, 33-1
3, Dutch Art J Fortune, 14-1
4-1 fav Adagio. 24 ran. 1Ol,Kl. G Huffer. Tote: £33.60; £8.30, £21.20, £4.20. Exacta: £1,831.20. Trifecta: £15,706.00. CSF: £692.93. Tricast: £11,518.71.

3.10 STAN JAMES 1,000 GUINEAS
(Group I: 3-y-o fillies: £198,730: 1m)

1, Finsceal Beo K J Manning, 5-4 fav
2, Arch Swing M J Kinane, 10-1
3. Simply Perfect J Murtagh, 9-1

21 ran. NR: Bicoastal, Sander Camillo. 2Ol, 1Nl. J Bolger (Ire). Tote: £3.10; £2.00, £2.80, £3.70. Exacta: £18.20. Trifecta: £140.00. CSF: £13.13. Tricast: £94.23.