The first British Classics of the season, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, will be run at Newmarket today and tomorrow.
Track conditions are posted as good on the Rowley Mile course.
Today at 17h40 fourteen colts contest the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, with a first prize of £283,550.
Ryan Moore has chosen to ride the 6/4 favourite, Auguste Rodin.
The Aidan O’Brien trained colt won the Gr1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster (heavy ground) last October in impressive fashion.
Aidan O’Brien – strong hand again (Racing TV)
Highly thought of by his trainer as potentially a ‘Triple Crown’ contender he has every chance on form and ratings and could give his trainer a record extending 11th victory.
Wayne Lordan rides stable-companion Little Big Bear, officially the highest rated runner, based on his effortless, 7-length rout of the Gr1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. That victory was over an extended 6-furlongs last August, so he needs to prove he gets the trip. This No Nay Never colt looks a sprinter-miler and could be ridden accordingly but cannot be ignored.
Frankie will be planning the famous dismount off Chaldean later today (Pic – Racing TV)
Biggest threat to the O’Brien raiders looks to be the Gr1 Dewhurst winner Chaldean trained by an in-form Andrew Balding.
Frankie Dettori retains the ride after being unseated in the Greenham at Newbury last month. This Frankel colt naturally races forward which looks a positive, is drawn on the fence and has won at the course.
It’s the turn of the fillies on Sunday with the Qipco 1,000 Guineas (16h40) attracting a field of 20.
Irish trainer Dermot Weld attempts to win this Classic for the first time, saddling the favourite Tahiyra. Unbeaten in two starts, she last raced in September when winning the Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on soft ground. She easily accounted for the reopposing Meditate by over two-lengths.
The Aidan O’Brien trained Meditate confirmed that form with a second in the Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes before Group 1 success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over a mile.
Dettori rides the Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lezoo from draw one, but she may be more effective sprinting.
In an open race, the Richard Hannon trained Mammas Girl is selected. The unbeaten daughter of Havana Grey was so impressive here last month in the Nell Gwyn. Slowly away in a big field, she made eye-catching progress two-furlongs out, and then ran on well once in front to win going away.
The first is off at 14h40 today.
