After the opening week since horse racing returned in the Uk we have the first 'Classic' of the season the delayed 2000 Guineas being run about a month later than usual and with no preparation races this is a year that will have to be taken on trust and fitness on the gallops. Today's nine race card includes a couple of group races to support the Group 1 Guineas due off at 3:35 today. ITV Racing will be covering the meeting here live together with three races from Newcastle too, those will include the Sagaro Stakes redirected from Ascot (should have been run 29th April). We've been racing since Monday after the shutdown, and it's good to have some top quality action to enjoy even if there's sadly no access for racegoers to attend.
Who will follow last year's 2000 Guineas Winner 'Magna Grecia' (left) into the record books and win the first of this years' Classics.
Charlie Appleby trains the ante post favourite PINATUBO (pictured below winning at Royal Ascot) who has been all the rage since his successful 2yo campaign. Has acquired a rating of 128 which makes him the highest for a juvenile in UK since Celtic Swing back in 1994. Already a dual Group 1 winner last year, Pinatubo was unbeaten in six starts last season, including a nine-length demolition in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh beating Armory (AP O'Brien/Ryan Moore) and followed that up winning the Dewhurst Stakes here at Newmarket.
Newmarket officials confirm that the going is currently - Good to Firm. The weather outlook for the weekend is for it to become much cooler than recent weeks, a significant chance of showers and a top temperature of 14C.
13:15 Win Bigger On The Betfair Exchange Handicap
5f [Class 2 12 Runners]
Opening race for 2000 Guineas day is a decent sprint handicap for older horses and headed by COPPER KNIGHT [2nd 28/1] has won races of this quality previously over at York and might well make all with a good break despite the weight while stable mate COUNT D'ORSAY [3rd 9/1] was in great form at the end of last season but might need this and it's still a step forwards. Although recently seen around the all weather tracks ENCORE D'OR has winning form at this level off higher marks and the eye catching booking of Ryan Moore makes an each way selection today.
1st - MAKANAH 9/2 [P Mulrennan]
13:50 Betfair Backs Racing Welfare Palace House Stakes
5f [Group 3 13 Runners]
Another sprint event the first of the supporting Group races today, where 4yo FAR ABOVE [Won 7/2] is looking to continue his progress in the sprinting ranks and moves up from Listed class, that win in France was only his 4th race so there's plenty of possibilities here. TARBOOSH [Non Runner] beat Copper Knight (who runs in the 13:15 above) last time out, and could go well too. Support for Richard Hannon's WELL DONE FOX was runner up in a Group 3 here in 2018 and has only had a few races since so is interesting having been sent to USA for the breeders cup. Has clearly had a few niggling issues but remains in training with a top yard and only a 4yo still has plenty of time on his side.
1st - FAR ABOVE 7/2 [P J McDonald]
14:25 Betfair Dahlia Fillies' Stakes
1m 2f [Group 2 7 Runners]
The next supporting race a Group 2 for the fillies and mares is headed by the likely market leader MAGIC LILY (Charlie Appleby) comes here after winning two G2's in Dubai at Meydan also a runner up in a G1 there as well so clearly in good order and the one to beat. QUEEN POWER (Sir Michael Stoute) represents a powerful stable and owners, is very lightly raced and ran well in the G2 Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot last year, so could certainly go well fresh. While the likes of Bubble and Squeak / Eva Maria / Sweet Promise will do well in the future you would expect them to be out classed here, with TEREBELLUM [Won 10/11f] a winner at this level in France and must go well for the Gosden / Dettori dream team.
1st - TEREBELLUM 10/11f [L Dettori]
15:00 Betfair Exchange Free Bet Streak Newmarket Stakes
1m 2f [Listed 9 Runners]
A field of three year olds are presented to us now, with the big race not far away, not a huge amount of form on offer with the top on AL AASY third on his only start to date, LUNCIES a winner of a small novice event at Lingfield so the likely favourite appears to be the pick of the John Gosden trio WALDKONIG who also won his novice debut at Wolves by nine lengths so carries a lot of respect.
1st - MISHRIFF 10/1 [D Egan]
15:35 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes
1m [Group 1 15 Runners]
Finally we are ready for the first classic of the 2020 season, and all eyes are trained on last years Champion 2yo PINATUBO. Trained by Charlie Appleby for the Godolphin team will be a hot prospect to maintain his unbeaten record and collect this big prize. Only one horse here has had a run as a 3yo New World Tapestry (AP O'Brien) but that was disappointing run at Kempton and shouldn't be up to this here today. The pick of the O'Brien challenge is most likely to be ARIZONA who ran well even in defeat last term could be the one to give Pinatubo most to think about, and MILITARY MARCH [S Bin Suroor] like the favourite is also from the Godolphin camp but surely a bit more than just a pacemaker while a big outsider could be KENZAI WARRIOR [R Teal] who took a G3 on heavy ground here in good style, staying on at the finish and could progress enough to place here.
1st - KAMEKO 10/1 [O Murphy]
16:10 Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap
1m [Class 3 12 Runners]
Now a series of handicaps to end the meeting with, will focus on the top two here against the field, both KINGS PAVILION and ACES have had plenty of races and wins off higher marks than today, should be capable of carrying this weight over the straight mile and are available at around 25/1.
1st - MONTATHAM 5/2f [Jim Crowley]
16:45 Betfair Racing Only Bettor Podcast Handicap
7f [Class 2 8 Runners]
QAYSAR (Richard Hannon) has to give weight all round but looks top drawer here and might even continue the progression seen last year at the expense of the interesting NAHAARR who was beaten by the selection into 3rd when favourite for a handicap here in August. Each way chances for BLOWN BY WIND / THREE SAINTS BAY who have at least seen the racecourse this year though fitness since the enforced absence for all is to be taken on trust.
1st - BLOWN BY WIND 6/1 [P J McDonald]
17:20 Ryan Moore Columns on Betfair Handicap (3yo)
6f [Class 2 11 Runners]
Can ENDOWED win for Ryan Moore in the race that bears his name (sponsored) progressed to win a pair of races at the end of last year while multiple all weather winner WILL TO WIN [Non Runner] could have plenty of interest if able to transfer that form to turf. SMOKEY BEAR [Won 4/1] runs up with the pace and another that can expected to place for trainer Roger Charlton.
1st - SMOKEY BEAR 4/1 [Jason Watson]
17:55 Trade On The Betfair Exchange Handicap
1m 4f [Class 2 9 Runners]
Our finale on Guineas day one, a mid distance handicap where I would take INDIANAPOLIS / ROCK EAGLE against the field. Many of these are progressing rapidly especially DEJA but the option is to oppose off this mark first time out, while HM The Queen's CALCULATION started their winning run off a mark of 69 and now has to race off 91 even so Ryan Moore's charge will surely be very popular.
1st - THE TRADER 6/1 [P J McDonald]
Results should appear here later and please come back for tomorrow's card which of course includes the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.
5f [Class 2 12 Runners]
Opening race for 2000 Guineas day is a decent sprint handicap for older horses and headed by COPPER KNIGHT [2nd 28/1] has won races of this quality previously over at York and might well make all with a good break despite the weight while stable mate COUNT D'ORSAY [3rd 9/1] was in great form at the end of last season but might need this and it's still a step forwards. Although recently seen around the all weather tracks ENCORE D'OR has winning form at this level off higher marks and the eye catching booking of Ryan Moore makes an each way selection today.
1st - MAKANAH 9/2 [P Mulrennan]
13:50 Betfair Backs Racing Welfare Palace House Stakes
5f [Group 3 13 Runners]
Another sprint event the first of the supporting Group races today, where 4yo FAR ABOVE [Won 7/2] is looking to continue his progress in the sprinting ranks and moves up from Listed class, that win in France was only his 4th race so there's plenty of possibilities here. TARBOOSH [Non Runner] beat Copper Knight (who runs in the 13:15 above) last time out, and could go well too. Support for Richard Hannon's WELL DONE FOX was runner up in a Group 3 here in 2018 and has only had a few races since so is interesting having been sent to USA for the breeders cup. Has clearly had a few niggling issues but remains in training with a top yard and only a 4yo still has plenty of time on his side.
1st - FAR ABOVE 7/2 [P J McDonald]
14:25 Betfair Dahlia Fillies' Stakes
1m 2f [Group 2 7 Runners]
The next supporting race a Group 2 for the fillies and mares is headed by the likely market leader MAGIC LILY (Charlie Appleby) comes here after winning two G2's in Dubai at Meydan also a runner up in a G1 there as well so clearly in good order and the one to beat. QUEEN POWER (Sir Michael Stoute) represents a powerful stable and owners, is very lightly raced and ran well in the G2 Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot last year, so could certainly go well fresh. While the likes of Bubble and Squeak / Eva Maria / Sweet Promise will do well in the future you would expect them to be out classed here, with TEREBELLUM [Won 10/11f] a winner at this level in France and must go well for the Gosden / Dettori dream team.
1st - TEREBELLUM 10/11f [L Dettori]
15:00 Betfair Exchange Free Bet Streak Newmarket Stakes
1m 2f [Listed 9 Runners]
A field of three year olds are presented to us now, with the big race not far away, not a huge amount of form on offer with the top on AL AASY third on his only start to date, LUNCIES a winner of a small novice event at Lingfield so the likely favourite appears to be the pick of the John Gosden trio WALDKONIG who also won his novice debut at Wolves by nine lengths so carries a lot of respect.
1st - MISHRIFF 10/1 [D Egan]
15:35 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes
1m [Group 1 15 Runners]
Finally we are ready for the first classic of the 2020 season, and all eyes are trained on last years Champion 2yo PINATUBO. Trained by Charlie Appleby for the Godolphin team will be a hot prospect to maintain his unbeaten record and collect this big prize. Only one horse here has had a run as a 3yo New World Tapestry (AP O'Brien) but that was disappointing run at Kempton and shouldn't be up to this here today. The pick of the O'Brien challenge is most likely to be ARIZONA who ran well even in defeat last term could be the one to give Pinatubo most to think about, and MILITARY MARCH [S Bin Suroor] like the favourite is also from the Godolphin camp but surely a bit more than just a pacemaker while a big outsider could be KENZAI WARRIOR [R Teal] who took a G3 on heavy ground here in good style, staying on at the finish and could progress enough to place here.
1st - KAMEKO 10/1 [O Murphy]
16:10 Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap
1m [Class 3 12 Runners]
Now a series of handicaps to end the meeting with, will focus on the top two here against the field, both KINGS PAVILION and ACES have had plenty of races and wins off higher marks than today, should be capable of carrying this weight over the straight mile and are available at around 25/1.
1st - MONTATHAM 5/2f [Jim Crowley]
16:45 Betfair Racing Only Bettor Podcast Handicap
7f [Class 2 8 Runners]
QAYSAR (Richard Hannon) has to give weight all round but looks top drawer here and might even continue the progression seen last year at the expense of the interesting NAHAARR who was beaten by the selection into 3rd when favourite for a handicap here in August. Each way chances for BLOWN BY WIND / THREE SAINTS BAY who have at least seen the racecourse this year though fitness since the enforced absence for all is to be taken on trust.
1st - BLOWN BY WIND 6/1 [P J McDonald]
17:20 Ryan Moore Columns on Betfair Handicap (3yo)
6f [Class 2 11 Runners]
Can ENDOWED win for Ryan Moore in the race that bears his name (sponsored) progressed to win a pair of races at the end of last year while multiple all weather winner WILL TO WIN [Non Runner] could have plenty of interest if able to transfer that form to turf. SMOKEY BEAR [Won 4/1] runs up with the pace and another that can expected to place for trainer Roger Charlton.
1st - SMOKEY BEAR 4/1 [Jason Watson]
17:55 Trade On The Betfair Exchange Handicap
1m 4f [Class 2 9 Runners]
Our finale on Guineas day one, a mid distance handicap where I would take INDIANAPOLIS / ROCK EAGLE against the field. Many of these are progressing rapidly especially DEJA but the option is to oppose off this mark first time out, while HM The Queen's CALCULATION started their winning run off a mark of 69 and now has to race off 91 even so Ryan Moore's charge will surely be very popular.
1st - THE TRADER 6/1 [P J McDonald]
Results should appear here later and please come back for tomorrow's card which of course includes the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.
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