King Of Change returns to the track, 137 days after finishing runner-up in the Guineas, but where is Magna Grecia?One of many great things about the 2,000 Guineas is that it identifies the most classy young milers so we can have fun following them through the summer, right? But not this year! Neither Magna Grecia nor King Of Change, who finished first and second in the Newmarket Classic, have been seen since May.Now, 137 days after the Guineas, King Of Change will return to the track at Sandown this afternoon and we’ll get some idea as to whether his effort at 66-1 last time was a fluke or not. But the mystery of Magna Grecia remains unsolved, as Aidan O’Brien’s...
Rails on both sides could be used to guide runners towards the centre of the course and ensure a fair race for the ClassicNothing does this punter’s head in more than trying to predict where the field will go in the major straight-course races. Will they split into groups and, if so, will any of the groups cross to a rail? Would they gain an advantage? I fancy one on the far side but it looks like there’s more pace on the near side, so do I stick with it and hope the near-side pace collapses, or seek a hold-up runner on the near side that’ll get a better tow into the race? Related: 2,000 Guineas: Aidan O’Brien lands his...
The improving Kevin Prendergast runner is selected to go one better than in his Classic Trial race at LeopardstownThe absence of star names has turned this year’s 2,000 Guineas into a real puzzle for punters but the answer could be Madhmoon (3.35), from the yard of Kevin Prendergast, who last won this colt’s Classic with Nebbiolo in 1977. Fast ground seems likely at Newmarket, despite Friday’s showers, and that will be this colt’s cup of tea, as he looked flashy on a sound surface last year.He was spinning his wheels on soft ground at Leopardstown last month but still ran well and is expected to be a lot sharper for that, so 8-1 is fine. Of the rest, Ten Sovereigns...
Two obvious contenders have fallen by the wayside in the past week but at last we’ve found a runner set to go in the ClassicI feel like I’ve achieved something, having found a leading contender for the 2,000 Guineas who is actually being aimed at the race. It is not, of course, Too Darn Hot, who has managed to do himself a mischief on the gallops. Nor yet is it Persian King, who is reportedly to be kept in France for the time being. Related: Irish Grand National: Willie Mullins finally lands winner with Burrows Saint Tuesday's racing tips Continue reading...
The selection has the class and turn of foot to give Aidan O’Brien his ninth 2,000 Guineas winner at NewmarketThe abrupt emergence of Masar as a potential Classic winner gives the 2,000 Guineas today at Newmarket a familiar Godolphin versus Ballydoyle look, but one of the more open renewals of recent years has several more genuine contenders in the field. Expert Eye and Elarqam have serious claims on the pick of their juvenile form, while James Garfield beat Expert Eye in the Greenham and will have his backers with Frankie Dettori taking the reins. There is also market confidence behind Mark Johnston’s Elarqam, which has not been the case for Saxon Warrior, one of Aidan O’Brien’s two main contenders. Related:...