As the flat season begins to gather some real momentum, attention turns to HQ this weekend for on of the biggest race weekends in British flat racing : The Guineas. Steeped in history and prestige, this weekend marks the first Classic races of the season, with the 2000 Guineas taking place on Saturday and the 1000 Guineas on Sunday. Run on the Rowley Mile, these races often set the tone for the three-year-old division, offering the first real look at this season’s potential superstars. Day 1 of the festival offers up three Class 1 contests, including two Listed races. Here’s my thoughts on each of the seven races:
Race 1: Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes 1m2f (13:45 – 3yo Class 2)
Last year’s top 3: 1st ZGHARTA 13/8F (H Doyle & A Balding), 2nd PEARLA 100/30 (T Marquand & William Haggas), 3rd SILENT LOVE 100/30 (W Buick & C Appleby)
This race sees four entries we have seen before and three debutants, with the most exciting of those expected to be VELVET VEGA, a €240,000 purchase running for the prestigious Gosden stable. Preference in this race, however, is for favourite EARTH SHOT who comes in to this with a respectable run at Newbury already under his belt, finishing 2nd on some very slow ground, and her race experience may prove the deciding factor. Another debutant in this one is WILD VIOLET, who refused to enter the stalls on her planned debut at Newbury but could be one to keep an eye on providing everything goes smoothly this time around.
Prediction: 1st EARTH SHOT 11/10, 2nd VELVET VEGA 13/8, 3rd WILD VIOLET 14/1
Race 2: JCB Newmarket Stakes 1m2f (14:20 – 3yo Class 1 Listed)
Last year’s top 3: 1st ALPINE TRAIL 10/11F (W Buick & C Appleby), 2nd NEBRAS 4/1 (H Doyle & J&T Gosden), 3rd ERNST BLOFIELD 6/1(R Havlin & J&T Gosden)
Just five will battle it out for the first Class 1 contest of the weekend, with the market currently headed by Godolphin’s POSEIDON’S WARRIOR, who has struggled to settle so far in his career and a first time hood is applied. That being said his runs have been far from disappointing, running for the yard that won this race last year, looks the one to beat. ARCHERS BAY good be one to go well at a bigger price, with five races already completed and will be seeking a hattrick here, won on reappearance at this course just two weeks ago also at a bigger price (16/1). The clear second favourite is MY LOVE IS KING, who won on debut last year and currently holds entries to both the Dante and the Derby, highlighting the yard’s high hopes for this one.
Prediction: 1st POSEIDON’S WARRIOR 4/5F, 2nd ARCHERS BAY 14/1, 3rd MY LOVE IS KING 11/4
Race 3: Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap 1m (14:55 – 3yo Class 3)
Last year’s top 3: 1st FORT GEORGE 100/30 (T Marquand & E Walker), 2nd MOLVENO 16/1 (M Ghiani & M Botti), 3rd SPECTACULAR VIEW 7/2 (W Buick & C Appleby)
The first handicap of the festival sees nine go for the prize, which could prove to be a tight battle between LAKE COMO and ST ANTON. Preference is for the former, who has two wins from six career starts so far. His run on reappearance this year was very encouraging, finishing third at 50/1 at Kempton, and he could be the one to beat if he builds on that performance. ST ANTON is yet to win after four career starts so far, but has never finished off of the podium. He put in a solid performance over course and distance at the Craven meeting a couple of weeks ago, could be open to further improvement. One at a bigger price here is OBJECTOR, who his two from two so far on the all-weather, will need to transfer that class to the turf and the find more to be competitive here but certainly can’t be ruled out.
Prediction: 1st LAKE COMO 9/2, 2nd ST ANTON 9/2, 3rd OBJECTOR 12/1
Race 4: Betfred Jockey Club Stakes 1m4f (15:30 – 4yo+ Class 1, Group 2)
Last year’s top 3: 1st BELLUM JUSTUM 11/2 (O Murphy & A Balding), 2nd SILVER KNOTT 10/11F (W Buick & C Appleby), 3rd DIVINA GRACE 4/1 (D Probert & A Balding)
This Group 2 contest is currently headed in the market by BIG CITY ROLLER, who going on form is the pick here having finishing runner-up last year to Opera Ballo, who recently beat Field of Gold. One would think he would prefer slower ground though, therefore preference goes to course and distance winner LION’S PRIDE, who may have been below par last time out but as a result has dropped 3lbs in the weights and if he brings his best here he should be in with a great shout. SANTORINI STAR also deserves a shout, going up against the boys this mare does look well handicapped but will likely need a career best performance to win this.
Prediction: 1st LION’S PRIDE 7/2, 2nd BIG CITY ROLLER 5/2F, 3rd SANTORINI STAR 6/1
Race 5: Betfred ‘Nifty 50’ Handicap 7f (16:05 – 4yo+ Class 2)
Last year’s top 3: 1st MISS INFORMATION 3/1 (O Murphy & A Balding), 2nd PHYSIQUE 4/1 (H Doyle & P Sly), 3rd LOCAL HERO 14/1 (R Moore & R Hannon)
Course and distance winner ELARAK is three wins from seven on the flat turf so far, has the benefit of having a run out already this season to shake off any cobwebs, could well prove the one to beat here. Fellow course and distance winner SILVER GHOST may also have a say at a bigger price, though her form for the rest of last season was slightly disappointing, perhaps the break will have done her good. At equally as big a price, BILLYJOH is 22 races without a win but as a result looks to be possibly the most well handicapped horse in this race.
Prediction: 1st ELARAK 10/3, 2nd SILVER GHOST 10/1, 3rd BILLYJOH 10/1
Race 6: Pertemps Network King Charles II Stakes (16:40 – 3yo Class 1 Listed)
Last year’s top 3: 1st COSMIC YEAR 6/4F (R Moore & H Charlton), 2nd MARVELMAN 16/1 (O Murphy & A Balding), 3rd DIEGO VENTURA 15/2 (B Loughnane & H Al Jehani)
The pick of the Godolpin pair here is CERRO BLANCO, who won on debut here a couple of weeks ago when strong favourite, the quality of opponent goes up a notch here but the potential for this one is certainly high. STELLAR SUNRISE is a more established option, with six runs under his belt already, winning half of those, including on seasonal debut last time out at Newbury in a competitive Class 2 field. Third choice goes to JEL PEPPER, who is a course and distance winner in a massive 26-runner field. Drops back in trip here after a loosener of a run on reappearance on the all-weather at Newcastle.
Prediction: 1st STELLAR SUNSHINE 9/4, 2nd CERRO BLANCO 6/4F, 3rd JEL PEPPER 7/1
Race 7: Close Brothers Fillies’ Handicap 6f (17:15 – 3yo+ Class 3)
Last year’s top 3: 1st CIRCE 11/4 (R Moore & R Hannon), 2nd SANTA SAVANA 13/2 (L Edmunds & R Millman), 3rd ROSY AFFAIR 15/8F (W Buick & G Boughey)
The final race of the day sees the biggest field of the day, with thirteen entries. Currently heading the market is LADY ROXBY, who looked solid on seasonal debut at Kempton on the all-weather, alongside some great efforts at the back end of last season could very well get back to winning ways here. Second choice is POWDERING, who looks overpriced currently, possibly due to the level of inconsistency shown in her career so far, but tends to go well here and has tasted victory at this course. At an even bigger price CINQUE VERDE could be one to keep an eye on, with three wins last year and has shaken the cobwebs off in a rather lacluster showing at Wolverhampton at the start of March.
Prediction: 1st LADY ROXBY 7/2, 2nd POWDERING 14/1, 3rd CINQUE VERDE
*All odds correct as at 21:00pm 30/04/26