AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

2000 GUINEAS PREVIEW

2000 Guineas Preview: After a couple of probably below-bar renewals of the 2000 Guineas this weekend’s event looks a real cracker – here’s a sharp run down of the 10 who are due to go to post.

Churchill

(A.P. O’Brien)

From the Listed Chesham at Royal Ascot through to Group 1s at the Curragh & Newmarket, & on ground ranging from good to soft to good to firm, Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt consistently got the job done against inferior opposition having gone off odds-on each time. Reported to be doing even better as a 3yo, and barring a Gleneagles-style drift on the day he’s sure to go off favourite- potentially at odds-on once again. Would be an eighth 2000 Guineas winner for his master trainer.

Al Wukair

(A.Fabre)

Many punters will consider Fabre’s decision to send Al Wukair to Newmarket as enough evidence to part with their money, while those looking deeper than just the trainer’s name can point to a fine turn of foot displayed by this colt in a Group 3 at Maisons-Laffitte last month. Group 1 winner National Defense was swept aside there, although caution is advised if using him as a yardstick as he was reportedly not fully wound up & the drop in trip wouldn’t have suited. Unbeaten & unexposed.

Barney Roy

(R.Hannon)

Rumours last season suggested this colt was top of Richard Hannon’s pile, and despite market weakness & an SP of 9/1 it was an eyecatching debut as he won readily at Haydock. There was no 9/1 available when Barney Roy made his seasonal reappearance in the Greenham & although his backers may have had concerns when Dream Castle shot clear, by the line the Hannon horse was two lengths clear in the manner of a horse crying out for at least the extra furlong. His trainer has suggested he’s one for the Derby in time.

Eminent

(M.Meade)

One of two Frankels to line up comes here unbeaten in two runs and on the back of victory in a leading trial – the Craven – last month. Martyn Meade’s stable star made it two from two over the Guineas course and distance there with a strong run to beat Group 1 winner Rivet, impressing clock watchers with his splits and forcing immediate post-race Guineas quotes down from 12/1 to 6 within the week. The third of three unbeaten trial winners & a fascinating contender.

Dream Castle

(Saeed bin Suroor)

A quick glance at the pedigree of this Godolphin-owned colt could give concerns as to whether he’ll truly stay the mile this weekend, and on the evidence of his admittedly fine effort in the Greenham, what’s written on paper may be borne out on the track. Clearly one with a reputation based on his home work – he was 4/7 on debut in early April – Dream Castle just shaded favouritism from Barney Roy in the betting ring but couldn’t sustain his run as that one swept by. Despite that defeat a lasting image is the turn of foot displayed by the vanquished Dream Castle, and with the hood on and held on to for longer he may just be a different proposition.

Larchmont Lad

(R.Hannon)

Richard Hannon’s second string, but bred for the job being by a 2000 Guineas winner out of a mare sired by another 2000 Guineas in King’s Best. A clearer run & a short neck away from being an unbeaten Group winner as a 2yo, he was only a 9/2 shot in the Craven where he “won” the race on his side of the track without ever really threatening to win overall. His performance there could be upgraded and given a bit more luck his profile could look a fair bit different – looks a lively outsider.

Lancaster Bomber

(A.O’Brien)

Brushed aside twice by Churchill in Ireland, Lancaster Bomber was sent over to do the donkey work in the Dewhurst but found himself on a golden highway up the stands rail & managed to run on for 2nd at a massive price. Subsequent runs in America and Dubai (missed the break) have shown that wasn’t a total fluke, but they’ve also suggested he’ll need to find extra from somewhere and as the most exposed runner in the field we’e not sure where he’d fine that from.

Law And Order

(J.Tate)

A Newmarket maiden winner & was placed in a Newbury Group 3, but beaten in the Fielden and even though he was giving away weight there he shouldn’t be up to this level.

Spirit Of Valor

(A.P.O’Brien)

Pretty low-key Group 3 he finished second in at Leopardstown in October & was sent off 20/1 in the UAE Derby in March when last seen. He did miss the break there on his first try on dirt but his SP suggests not a lot was expected, and it would be a major surprise if he was better than these opponents on the day.

Top Score

(Saeed bin Suroor)

Three wins from 11 starts thus far for this son of Hard Spun, including two in Dubai. 14/1 for the UAE Derby contested by Lancaster Bomber & Spirit Of Valor & finished 11th beaten 17 lengths – unlikely to threaten.

Tentative Selection:

Churchill was a slight drifter last month in the face of strong performances in the trials from the likes of Eminent & Barney Roy, both of whom have been steadily supported ever since, while Al Wukair was slashed into second favouritism after his smart effort in France but support hasn’t been as strong as that for the English trial winners. Of those beaten in the trials there are reasons to believe both Dream Castle & Larchmont Lad were not seen to best effect, although the former could be a sprinter & the latter would still seemingly be a few lengths off the best of these. It’s dull and boring, but in the belief he could be a shade of odds-on at the off it’s CHURCHILL we are likely to be ducking, while also being wary of Dream Castle in first time headgear & likely to be produced later.

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