The day of reckoning has arrived for the unbeaten City Of Troy who makes his seasonal return in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket at 16h35.
Track conditions on the Rowley mile were posted as good on Friday, with the possibility of showers later in the evening.
Qipco 2000 Guineas on the cards at Newmarket on Saturday (Pic –
Newmarket Racecourse)
Aidan O’Brien nominated four including the unbeaten National Stakes winner Henry Longfellow but relies solely on the 2023 champion two-year-old, City Of Troy.
The Justify colt has impressed in all three starts, including his commanding, front-running success in the Dewhurst last October.
He was nearly four-lengths too good for the re-opposing Tattersalls Stakes winner Alyanaabi in Britain’s most prestigious juvenile contest, with subsequent Craven winner Haatem and Champagne Stakes winner Iberian well beaten.
Vibes from the in-form Hannon yard are positive regarding second favourite Rosallion, whilst the unbeaten course and distance winner Ghostwriter has won twice on good to firm ground and could make the exacta pay.
On Sunday, 16 fillies take centre stage in the Qipco 1000 Guineas (16h40). The weekend’s second Classic looks a more open-looking contest with the principals headed by 2023 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Fallen Angel and Fillies’ Mile scorer Ylang Ylang.
In-form Karl Burke saddles Fallen Angel, officially the highest rated runner, and this daughter of Too Darn Hot should have no problems with the trip. A winner here on the July course, she must be considered.
Pretty Crystal from the Richard Fahey yard has been supplemented at a cost of £30000 after her tenacious victory here over the reopposing Godolphin filly Dance Sequence in the Nell Gwyn last month. Both fillies are in the mix along with Filles’ Mile third See The Fire
However, the selection is the course and distance winner Ylang Ylang. Ryan Moore rides the Frankel filly who is selected to provide Ballydoyle with a Classic double.
