Sorry, maybe I am missing something, or looking too deep into this but I still don't understand what the issue is.
I asked which statements would guarantee 1000 rows, the answer is the ones with the TOP clause, TABLESAMPLE isn't guaranteed.
I haven't re-worded the question , I wouldn't know how to after it has been published anyway!
Everything you say or quote about TABLESAMPLE is correct; you seem to be disagreeing with soemthing that hasn't been said
Please help me try to understand what is going on here..........