NEWMARKET HORSE RACING - 1000 GUINEAS MEETING SUNDAY 2nd MAY 2021

1000 Guineas Meeting - Sunday 2nd May 2021

The second 'Classic' of 2021 takes place this Sunday afternoon, where the fillies take the stage with the 1000 Guineas the feature event at 15:40. Live TV coverage of the meeting's feature events will be available in the Uk, and some supporting races from Hamilton and Salisbury too this Sunday afternoon. Santa Barbara trained by Aiden O'Brien is favourite for the 1000 Guineas on the strength of her victory last September at the Curragh. While Andrew Balding’s Cheveley Park winner Alcohol Free, who returned this season with a win in the Fred Darling, is the shortest-priced of the British-based runners.

SUNDAY 2ND MAY (1330 - 1600) ITV Races

Coverage of seven live races on television today;

NEWMARKET

13:50 The Back and Lay on Betfair Exchange Handicap Stakes

14:25 The Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed Race)

15:00 The Betfair Dahlia Stakes (Group 2)

15:40 The Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) British Champions Series

HAMILTON

14:40 The Hampton by Hilton Hamilton Park Buttonhook Handicap

15:15 The EBF Tangerine trees Conditions Stakes

SALISBURY

14:05 The AJN Steelstock 'Delivering Steel Expertise' City Bowl Handicap Stakes

Last years 1000 Guineas winner was LOVE, for trainer Aiden O'Brien who then went on to win the Oaks at Epsom. No surprise that Aiden has the ante post favourite this season too.

Going and Weather forecast:

Newmarket officials confirm that the Going is currently - Good to Firm. Weather forecast for Sunday is not looking too good with plenty of rain showers expected and a max temperature of only 13C.

Newmarket 1000 Guineas Race-card. 
Today's Races and Selections;

13:15  Better Odds On Betfair Exchange Handicap (3yo)

1m 2f  [Class 3  6 runners]

Sunday's Classic card begins with a small field handicap for three year olds headed by Richard Hannon's River Alwen. Godolphin's Western Symphony looks the paper favourite for this but will be opposing with the pair of Francesco Guardi and Kehailaan against the field the latter may well improve from the switch to turf.

Result - (1) River Alwen @5/1 [J P Spencer].

13:50  Back And Lay On Betfair Exchange Handicap

1m 4f  [Class 2  6 runners]

Another small field handicap for older horses is next on our card, headed by Sky Defender one of two for Mark Johnston (also runs Zabeel Champion) while they are respected here I think I will take them on with the pair Grand Bazaar (John Gosden) and Rodrigo Diaz n/r (David Simcock). A fairly quiet start to the meeting with small fields today. 

Result - (2) Zabeel Champion @9/4 [B A Curtis].

14:25  Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed)

1m 2f  [Class 1  8 runners]

Just the eight fillies here but decent quality, A'Shaari won on her only start here last year, sure to have been well prepared and upped into Listed class immediately the one to beat. Alba Rose should win races this season for Mark Johnston though was struggling on soft/heavy going last year, this is more suitable and ought to stay the trip. Sea Karats (W Haggas) another to follow this season as an expensive purchase, better than the third position she filled at Newbury last time was only beaten a nose and head having been denied a clear run.

Result - (5) Mystery Angel @13/2 [B A Curtis].

15:00  Betfair Dahlia Stakes (Group 2)

1m 1f  [Class 1  8 runners]

A group two to consider prior to the 1000 Guineas itself, the older fillies and mares now, Fooraat will be one of those that I keep an eye on this season, with better ground and this trip sure to suit. Indie Angel will have a big run in here for John Gosden and Frankie, but might have to play second best to QUEEN POWER who has been racing in top quality events and her third at Royal Ascot last year gives her a big shout today.

Result - (4) Lady Bowthorpe @6/1 [K Shoemark].

15:40  Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes (Fillies' Group 1)

1m  [Group 1  12 runners]

Today's feature has a field of twelve declared, Aiden O'Brien supplies the short priced favourite with Santa Barbara (yard also runs Mother Earth) but for a little bit of value will keep an interest with Newbury's Dubai Duty Free winner Alcohol Free (Andrew Balding) along with Newmarket Nell Gwyn victor Sacred (William Haggas) against the field despite some reservations about this trip. 

There have been some big price winners of this in recent years so Thunder Dream and Vadream will have some place interest for us too.

Result - (4) Mother Earth @10/1 [L Dettori].

16:15  Betfair British Ebf Maiden Stakes

5f  [Class 3  5 runners]

After the big event, we come back to earth with a small five runner maiden for 2yos, Berkshire Phoenix was fourth on his debut having been well supported and should improve for that run, Dig Two also had an easy introduction at Windsor and with War of Courage who only ran a few days ago at Ascot should also find races. To be honest the two newcomers My Dubawi and Secret Strength wouldn't have to be anything out of the ordinary to take this thus we take that pair against the field.

Result - (2) Dig Two @17/2 [James Doyle].

16:50  Betfair Weighed In Podcast Handicap

1m 4f  [Class 3  4 runners]

A four runner handicap hopefully will not end up becoming a crawl; Echo Point (C Appleby) a Kempton debut winner in February who progressed again when finishing runner-up on handicap debut at this track, should appreciate this further step forward but it's ANNANDALE (Non Runner) (Mark Johnston) for me already progressed well in three runs as a 2-y-o and didn't need to improve from his Doncaster reappearance second when going one better at Nottingham the yard is in great form and looks the one to beat here. 

Parachute (Ed Walker) unable to justify favouritism on handicap debut when third at Redcar on return expecting better to come upped in trip. Our quartet are completed by Defined (John Gosden) who finally got off the mark at the sixth attempt at Kempton in February.

Result - (3) Parachute @3/1 [Tom Marquand].

17:20  Betfair Racing Only Bettor Podcast Handicap

7f  [Class 4  9 runners]

Ending with another handicap, all three year olds, Inveigle runs for HM The Queen and improved to get off the mark in good style in 7f novice at Chelmsford in October. Subsequently gelded and could have more to offer in handicaps this year. Also interest for Sayifyouwill (Amanda Perrett) seems consistent and improved to land a first win back at 7f at Lingfield last week, should continue to be competitive. 

An outsider too for the place bet would bring in Mere Green (20/1) has experience, in good hands as far as trainer and jockey are concerned, drops back in trip and against her own age group might out run her odds (Non Runner).

Result - (2) Tawleed @4/1 [Jim Crowley].

Results to be posted here during the course of Sunday, and we'll have another blog ready to publish on Monday for our regular twilight meetings at Kempton Park this Wednesday.