Dermot Weld's Tahiyra faces 19 rivals in 1000 Guineas

Chris Hayes is determined to enjoy the fact he is riding the favourite Tahiyra in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.

Not seen since a scintillating display in the Moyglare Stud Stakes on just her second start, the unbeaten Dermot Weld-trained filly has headed the market for the Classic all winter.

There had been some doubt as to whether she would be ready in time for Newmarket, but Weld confirmed earlier in the week she would take her chance and Hayes is understandably delighted.

"It's great she’s been declared. Obviously she was very impressive last year and you’d have to be looking forward to her. To get the chance to ride the favourite in any English or Irish Classic is special, so we’ll enjoy it and hope for a bit of luck," he said.

"Before Galway, she just felt a like a special filly in her work. She’d never blow you away but she just felt different, everything came with an ease to her. She excited me in Galway and when I got off that day, I felt she could potentially be a Group One filly.

"But if you’d said to me she would go and win the Moyglare next time, I wouldn’t have believed you and anybody being honest would say the same – to take that step up and put a field of that quality to bed with 100 yards to go, I don’t think anybody would have thought that.

"She looked terribly exciting that day, she seems to have wintered well so I’m looking forward to it.

"If I’m honest, since I got off her at the Curragh I’ve been looking forward to her next race tremendously. I just love riding her as she’s a pleasure to do anything with."

A brilliant finish from Tahiyra sees her past favourite Meditate to take the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh