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Rick’s Sports Betting: System Backers Hope Kew Gardens Is St Leger Favourite – By Rick Elliott

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The St Leger is the oldest Classic in the world and the third leg of the colts and fillies triple crown. The other two races are the 1,000 Guineas and Derby for the male horses aged three and the 2,000 Guineas and Oaks for females of the same age. There is no horse running at Doncaster in the 2018 St Leger who has won one of the first two legs never mind the first two. Saxon Warrior won the Guineas in May but was a beaten favourite in the Derby so an attempt to win three Classics was abandoned.

Saxon Warrior is trained by Aidan O’Brien but he still has the possible favourite for the fifth and final Classic of the season in Kew Gardens.  On Racing Post Ratings the horse has something to find with Dee Ex Bee and Lah Ti Dar but on the plus side he will be ridden by Ryan Moore. When O’Brien and Moore join forces in British and Irish Classics they have a good record but that is reflected in the odds. Kew Gardens is a false favourite on the figures so punters may have been swayed by the trainer and jockey combination which is proven at the highest level.

The St Leger is a Group race for horses aged three. Moore rode the favourite for O’Brien in 10 Group races for three-year-olds in Britain last season and had a 50% strike rate. The starting price of the winners was 6/4, 5/2, 5/6, 4/9 and 3/1. A £10 level stake bet on these horses would have returned £132.70 for a profit of £32.70 which equates to a return on investment of 32.70%.  The combination won the St Leger in 2017 with a horse that was returned at 3/1. Followers of proven systems will be backing Kew Gardens to win the St Leger if the horse is the favourite.

The leading owners, jockeys and trainers date back to the 19th century. O’Brien is the winning most trainer since 2000 with five wins but all had different jockeys. Moore has only won one St Leger compared to three for Frankie Dettori but he has not won the race since 2008. William Buick and Andrea Atzeni have both won back-to-back St Legers since 2010.  John Gosden won the race three times between 2007 and 2011 and he is the trainer of Lah Ti Dar. The winning riders were Buick (twice) and Jimmy Fortune but a different man is on board this time.

The Gosden filly gets a three pounds sex allowance and will be in the able hands of Dettori. Some late money could make Lah Ti Dar the favourite on the day of the race.

The trainer and jockey teamed up on favourites in five Group races for three-year-olds last season and produced the winner three times. The SP’s of these horses were 6/5, 4/7 and 4/6 so the sample of all the qualifying races produced a small profit of 2.2%. Trends followers will be hoping Kew Gardens is the favourite because following the jockey and trainer pays bigger dividends than the alternative.

A Warrior for the Eclipse! – By The Champagne Kid

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Today I will be at Sandown to see the 121st running of The Eclipse.  I won’t give the race’s full title with the sponsor’s name, due to the sponsor telling me some years ago they did not wish to do business with me any more (I still have copies of the somewhat terse correspondence with them) and I see no reason to advertise their name here.

The race was, of course, named after the great racehorse Eclipse, foaled during, and named after, the solar eclipse of 1st April 1764.  In all he ‘raced’ 18 times, although 8 of these were walkovers, and in the contested races the fields were generally very small.  The most competitors he faced in a race was 4, and he was eventually retired to stud in 1771, basically due to a lack of competition willing to take him on.   He was a great success at stud, siring around 350 winners, and he can be found in the bloodlines of virtually every thoroughbred running today.

The first running of the race bearing his name was in 1886 with what was at that time the biggest prize fund in British racing, £10,000, and was won by a horse named Bendigo.  Over the years many, many great horses have won The Eclipse, and I love when this time of year comes around and Racing UK shows the final 2 furlongs of most of the last 20 years’ renewals back-to-back during breaks in the live racing.

Some of my own personal favourites are Ezzoud in 1994 (whom I didn’t back in The Eclipse but did the two times he won the Juddmonte International at York);  Halling who was a dual winner in 1995 and 1996 (and also a dual winner of the Juddmonte International those same two years);  the ‘iron horse’ Giant’s Causeway, who was a real gutsy fighter whenever he was challenged close to home, in 2000; Falbrav in 2003; Notnowcato in 2007, who was given a brilliant ride by Ryan Moore down the stand-side rail when all others raced far-side and the TV cameras missed Notnowcato almost right up to the winning line.

Then there was the great Sea The Stars in 2009; Derby winner Golden Horn in 2015, who went on to win the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe later in the year, and through to last year’s winner the Sir Michael Stoute trained Ulysses.

Today’s renewal does not in my view stand out as having the look of a particularly strong one.  The Eclipse is the first Group 1 race of the year in which the 3yo generation meets its elders, and in this year’s race, there does not appear to me to be a top-class older horse to take on the youngsters.  At the time of writing, there are only three older horses; Forest Ranger, Cliffs Of Moher and Hawkbill.  All of these are currently priced at 9/1 or higher.  Hawkbill has the prestige of being a previous winner of the race in 2016 as a 3yo; Forest Ranger will doubtless race prominently and might just hang on for a place, whilst Cliffs Of Moher seems to be out running in Group races every second week and cannot to my mind be seen as a probable winner.

That leaves the three year olds.  Now that Masar, the Derby winner, is out of the race, that leaves the filly Happily, the 100/1 outsider Raymond Tusk, both unlikely winners in my view, and the two likelier candidates, Roaring Lion, the Dante winner who was third to Masar in the Derby, and Saxon Warrior, the 2000 Guineas winner who was fourth to Masar in that race, and who ran third just seven days ago in a ‘family affair’ Irish Derby, a race dominated by the O’Brien ‘mafia’, with son Joseph training the winner and father Aiden training the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th home.

To look at direct form between the two major contenders, Masar had beaten Roaring Lion 3 times, beaten Saxon Warrior once (the Derby) and lost once to Saxon Warrior (the 2000 Guineas.  Roaring Lion has, as already stated, lost 3 times to Masar, and also twice to Saxon Warrior, but beat Saxon Warrior when one spot ahead of him in the Derby.  From all this, you can, if you are so inclined, work out Saxon Warrior’s direct form with the others.  It’s like a game of Cluedo, or, as the infinitely amusing Irish columnist and novelist, Flann O’Brien (no relation!), might have said – “It’s a tough pancake!”

Whilst the lack of an apparent strong challenge from the older generation detracts from the race for me to a certain degree, the fascinating recent history of the main protagonists against each other makes up for that.

So, who will win?  For me, the Saxon Warrior entry is slightly strange.  It would not be often that you would see an Aiden O’Brien Group 1 horse racing in a second Group 1 race just 7 days after a previous one.  That said, Aiden O’Brien clearly is a trainer who knows what he is doing.   Far be it from me to suggest that shenanigans were afoot in that Irish Derby won by Aiden’s son Joseph, but when looking for the answer to an almost impossible question such as this race throws up, and I get that slight ‘something strange happening here’ feeling, I pay more attention to it than hours of who-beat-who-when-and-by-how-far-and-at-what-distance circular argument studying.

So, based on a hunch (that being one way to separate the main contenders) if I have to choose a winner it’s Saxon Warrior for me.  He should be available at about 9/4, and whilst it’s not a price to get too excited about, it makes for a worthwhile ‘interest’ bet for those who want to have a wager in the race.

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Trust Epsom Derby Form In The Eclipse – By Ian Hudson

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The Coral Eclipse is a prestigious Group 1 contest that brings together the Classic generation and older horses. However, the race is dominated by three-year-olds so the weight for age allowance is received by the major players. Even off level weights the Derby winner, Masar, would be a leading contender and the Eclpise looks destined to be won by one of the younger horses. The race features the horse that finished third in the Derby, Roaring Lion, and the favourite, Saxon Warrior.

That horse was seen as a potential superstar after winning the 2,000 Guineas in impressive style. The Aidan O’Brien runner was installed as the odds-on favourite for the Derby and defeat seemed out of the question. There was even talk of an attempt to win the Triple Crown last achieved by Nijinsky in 1970. The demands of winning the Guineas, Derby and St Leger make it a rare feat. The three Classics are run over distances from one mile to one mile and six furlongs and from May to September.

Saxon Warrior never seemed to be going well in the Derby. Ryan Moore is seen as one of the best big race jockeys in the world but he did not cover himself with glory. He allowed Saxon Warrior to be boxed in and when a clear run occurred the horse was not good enough to peg back Masar. Given no problems in running it is still doubtful Saxon Warrior would have completed the second leg of the Triple Crown. The horse is not a proven stayer so the St Leger is off the agenda.

Saxon Warrior did not run a bad race when coming third in the Irish Derby last Saturday. At Evens favourite the horse finished third a neck and half a length behind Rostropovich and the winner Latrobe, trained by O’Brien’s son, Joseph. The family trained the first three home and the winner was ridden by Donnocha, Joseph’s brother. It must be very rare for three members of one family to be involved with the winner of a Classic and the horses that made the frame. Saxon Warrior could redeem himself in the Eclipse over a more suitable distance.

The Sandown feature is run over 10 furlongs but the two Derbies were run over two furlongs more. Masar had the speed to win the Craven Stakes over one mile at Newmarket so will be difficult to beat. The horse was one and three quarter lengths behind Saxon Warrior in the Guineas but the Eclipse is a race over the intermediary distance which could suit either horse but Masar is the best three-year-old colt in training. The fly in the ointment could be Happily.

The horse, another trained by O’Brien senior, is a filly so gets an extra three pounds from the colts. That means the four older male horses carry thirteen pounds more than Happily and can’t win under these terms. Roaring Lion won the Dante Stakes at York so is proven in Group company over one mile and two furlongs. However he finished two lengths behind Masar in third place in the Derby. Dee Ex Bee was the runner-up at Epsom but is not running in the Eclipse.

 

Forest Ranger has been the best backed of the horses aged over three. He won at Chester in May but has not raced since. The four-year-old would have to be an exceptional horse to beat the younger runners carry much more weight. Forest Ranger is a fresh horse but not good enough to win the Eclipse at the weights. Saxon Warrior deserves another chance but you can’t ignore the Derby form and on that basis Masar is the horse to beat.

Saxon Warrior Looks A Good Thing But Not Withhold  – By Ian Hudson

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There are two derbies taking place on Saturday, one at the Curragh and the other at Newcastle. The Irish Derby name speaks for itself but in the north-east the Northumberland Plate is known as the Pitman’s Derby. Its an all-aged handicap which means the race conditions are totally different to the English Derby but it still the most famous and prestigious Flat race on the course. Bookmakers will be fearing the favourite in both races because Saxon Warrior and Withhold have been well backed.

Saxon Warrior was an impressive winner of the 2,000 Guineas and was a warm order for the Epsom Derby. Connections thought defeat was out of the question and there was talk of a Triple Crown. That achievement involves winning the Guineas, Derby and St Leger and it was last achieved by Nijinsky in 1970. The three Classics are run over distances from one mile to one mile six furlongs and from May to September. Saxon Warrior was disappointing in the Derby and finished fourth.

Ryan Moore is considered to be the best big occasion jockey in the sport. His services are sought for lucrative races all over the world and he is seen as a safe pairs of hands in the races that matter most. However, he was not at his best on Saxon Warrior at Epsom. The horse did not have a good position entering the straight. When the gaps opened Saxon Warrior was not good enough to peg back the three horses in front and finished four and a half lengths adrift of the winner, Masar.

Dee Ex Bee finished second in the Derby and had three lengths in hand over Saxon Warrior at the line. The two horses meet again at the Curragh under identical terms but Saxon Warrior had trouble in running and can reverse the form. Masar is being saved for another day and Roaring Lion, third in the Derby, is being targeted at the Eclipse at Sandown. Kew Gardens won well at Royal Ascot but has something to find on form with the two market leaders in the Irish Derby which Saxon Warrior can win.

The favourite for the Northumberland Plate is Withhold who is owned by Tony Bloom, the chairman of Brighton FC and a renowned successful gambler on racing and football and other sports. Withhold landed a huge gamble to win the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October and the money is down again. However, the horse is fully exposed and will almost have to be Group class to win this year’s Pitman’s Derby. Lightning does often strike twice for the same horse in competitive handicaps.

Withhold is trained by Roger Charlton and he suggested backers should not get too excited about a horse carrying 12 pounds more than in the Cesarewitch. The trainer said in the Racing Post this week:

“I don’t see him quite as positively as I did before the Cesarewitch. The odds appear very short for a race of this nature and I don’t think punters should get carried away”

The long term objective is the Melbourne Cup so the Newcastle race is a starting point and a target. If the horse is too short in the betting there is value further down the list and Amazing Red and Natural Scenery have been backed with this in mind and Withhold looks vulnerable at the weights.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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Brazil Are Playing In The UK Today

It’s not every day you get to see Brazil play football live but I’m going to Anfield later to watch Neymar (hopefully) and co play Croatia in an international friendly. Pele played at Goodison Park nearby during the 1966 World Cup so the city of Liverpool has a history of welcoming the best football nation in the world to their grounds. Brazil have won 27 of their last 29 friendly matches. They beat Croatia 3-1 in the first match of their World Cup in 2014 and that CORRECT SCORE is 12/1 with Ladbrokes at the home of the Champions League finalists.

The final of the Challenge Cup was always played on the Saturday after the FA Cup final when rugby league was a winter sport. Sky got involved and everything changed but not necessarily for the good of the sport. The version of VAR means just about every key decision “goes upstairs” and the band don’t get to play at Wembley on two successive Saturday’s in May. Hull FC have won the trophy in the last two seasons but have a tough assignment at St Helens in the last eight today. ST HELENS -16 is the bet at 10/11 with William Hill.

After Maser won the most famous Flat race in the world at 16/1 at Epsom yesterday we are back to bread and butter fare. Ryan Moore found himself in a hole on Saxon Warrior in the Derby but the horse wasn’t going well enough to get in front when he was in the clear. The handicap chase at Perth (4.10) couldn’t be more different to the race but if MARTILOO wins at 3/1 with Betfair the blow of backing Saxon Warrior in the Derby will be softened.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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A Day Of Two Derbies 

England play Nigeria in a friendly at Wembley at 5.15pm and by that time we will know which horse has won the Derby. Epsom stages the world’s most famous Flat race and Towcester is the venue for the greyhounds version this evening. You could make a film called Two Derbies And A Friendly about today’s sporting action and the leading man would have to be SAXON WARRIOR. Despite being drawn on the inside of the track the Aidan O’Brien trained horse must be backed at Evens with Coral to win the horse racing Derby.

Saxon Warrior was an impressive winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the horse could be something special. Connections are hinting that if their horse wins at Epsom today an attempt at the Triple Crown is on the cards. Nijinsky in 1970 was the last horse to win the Guineas, Derby and St Leger and Saxon Warrior has the scope to emulate that animal.

Potential negatives are the draw and ground but Saxon Warrior has the class to prevail and then all roads lead to Doncaster in September. For the England national team the destination is Russia and today’s fixture with Nigeria is their last but one match before the real action begins.

Nigeria have only failed to score in only one of their last friendly eight internationals. Give or take the Liverpool contingent the England starting 11 should be the strongest available and a hint of who starts against Tunisia in their first group match in the World Cup. Their final prep match is against Costa Rica at Elland Road in Leeds so there should be a send off at Wembley today. The result is not that important but ENGLAND -1 on the handicap is the bet at 13/10 with Betfair.

The richest prize in greyhounds offers £175,000 to the winner of their Derby. The money is in massive contrast to the bread and butter races of the sport in which the six dogs are competing for less than £100. The financial rewards and the prestige make the Derby the most famous and desired contest in the sport. Favourite backers should enjoy the occasion because DROOPS VERVE is the tip at 13/8 with Ladbrokes.

The Ground Should Not Hinder Saxon Warrior In The Derby – By Ian Hudson

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The state of the ground at Epsom on Saturday could be a huge element in the outcome of the most famous Flat race in the world. Saxon Warrior has been all the rage since winning the 2,000 Guineas and looks like being the first odds-on favourite since Camelot in 2012. However, if the going worsens it becomes more about which horse can handle the underfoot conditions better than ability and form. Extreme ground levels the playing field but Saxon Warrior is still the selection based on form.

Aidan O’Brien knows what it takes to win the Epsom Derby. He has trained six winners of the premier Classic and his horses have won the race four times in the last six ears. The forecast is for rain before the 4.30pm race on Saturday which means the potential for heavy going in the Classic that matters most. Saxon Warrior will be ridden by Ryan Moore who is considered the best jockey in the world on the big occasion. He won the Derby in 2010 and 2013 and Saxon Warrior is his best chance since Ruler Of The World prevailed five years ago.

On good or even soft ground Saxon Warrior would be the right price even though O’Brien has concerns about the ground. In addition to the favourite the trainer has entered five other horses and he said in the Racing Post:

“We’d like good ground for our Derby horses as soft ground wouldn’t be ideal for any of them”

The forecasters predict already soft ground will be hit by more rain before Saturday so conditions for Saxon Warrior and his stable mates would not be ideal. There hasn’t been a soft ground Derby for 30 years because the late spring is often dry. The bizarre British weather has produced storms and rain this week and the track at Epsom has suffered and good ground is now a forlorn hope. There is now the element of demanding going added to the mix.

The 2,000 Guineas is often a good trial for the Derby and Saxon Warrior was an impressive winner over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. The winner handled the undulations around the Dip and balance is vital on the unique Epsom course. Saxon Warrior was having his season start at Newmarket so there room for improvement in the Derby. Heavy ground should not prevent a winning favourite in the Derby for the first time since 2015.

Saxon Warrior will have completed two legs and could then run at Doncaster in the St Leger at Doncaster in September with the Triple Crown on the line. Oh So Sharp won three Classics for fillies in 1985 and you have to go back to 1970 to find the last colt’s Triple Crown when Nijinsky won the three Classics from May to September over one mile to one mile and six furlongs. Camelot won the first two in 2012 but came up short in the St Leger and finished second. Saxon Warrior has the scope to emulate Nijinsky this year and win the Triple Crown.

Roaring Lion was narrowly beaten by Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy last October. The winner identifies one of the leading juveniles and the horse can become the winter favourite for the Derby. Saxon Warrior was much too good for Roaring Lion in the 2,000 Guineas but then Roaring Lion won the Dante Stakes at York which is a significant pointer to the Derby. However, despite the outlook for heavy ground Saxon Warrior is still the horse to back to win Saturday’s big race.

It’s Guineas Weekend In Ireland – By Ian Hudson

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There’s some half decent racing in Britain on Saturday but nothing really to write home about. It’s a different story in Ireland over the weekend because the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas are taking place at the Curragh on Saturday and Saturday. It will be no surprise but Aidan O’Brien has leading contenders for both Classics and several other runners with place prospects.  It will be interesting to see which O’Brien horses Ryan Moore partners in the big races.

If there is a duopoly in Irish jumps racing on the Flat it’s just about a monopoly. Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins dominate the winter game and were miles ahead of the trainer who finished third in the trainer’s championship. O’Brien is dominant alone on the level and his sons and daughter all get in on his act. He broke the record for the number of Grade 1 and Group 1 wins in a calendar year in 2017 and his dominance looks like continuing for some time to come.

O’Brien trains the Coolmore horses and the syndicate spends a fortune. The business plan is based on winning Classics and sending the horses to stud to produce the next generation. That means the O’Brien horses have the best pedigree and the empire continues to function and the competition can’t catch up. It’s debatable whether this situation is good for Flat racing in Ireland but investment does filter down through the ranks so the whole sector benefits.

Cliffs Of Moher could start about even money for the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Last year’s Derby runner-up did not build on that effort in the second half of the season but showed enough to suggest Group 1 ability. Defoe has produced some great runs over the last year but could be found out at this level.  Eminent is on a retrieval mission after a poor run at Chester so the race looks like its O’Brien’s.

The trainer produces Classic winners almost in his sleep and it may be tongue in cheek but he has said Israbraq is the best he has rained. The horse won three Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham at the turn of the century and for a number of years was the best in the business over two miles and eight hurdles. If Saxon Warrior wins the Derby and St Leger to complete the Triple Crown Istabraq might drop down the pecking order to second place. The last colt to win three Classics in the same season was Nijinsky in 1970, trained by Vincent O’Brien who is no relative.

Elarqam is the favourite for the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday in the absence of Saxon Warrior who is the favourite for the Derby run over one mile and four furlongs. The horse was the one to take out of the English Guineas in the context of the Irish version. Gustav Klimt, trained by O’Brien, has something to find on Newmarket form so US Navy Flag has the better chance to beat the favourite. However, Elarqam looks solid so this could be one Classic that gets away for O’Brien.

The 1,000 Guineas the following day looks like another kettle of fish because Happily is a worthy favourite. The horse also ran well in the English version but was found wanting in the final furlong. Laurens finished in front of Happily at Newmarket but the O’Brien horse can reverse the form. Magical and I Can Fly could get in the mix at bigger prices but Soliloquy should make the frame. O’Brien can win one of the two Classics at the Curragh and maintain his strike rate in the races that matter most.

Today’s Sports Betting Preview – By Rick Elliott

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It Could Be Joy For Coventry Tonight 

Coventry City supporters had not seen their team finish in the top six in any league since 1970 so it must have come as a major shock when they qualified for the League Two playoffs. Coventry and Notts County drew 1-1 in the first match so its all to play for in the second leg in Nottingham tonight. It could be the fans greatest occasion since Coventry beat Tottenham 3-2 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley in 1987. Football fans live for the odd joyous occasion and the playoff fixture could be just the second Coventry have enjoyed for almost 50 years. The club have dropped from the Premier League to the fourth tier but COVENTRY are now 5/6 with William Hill to win promotion to League One.

The Premier League season is over, it’s the FA Cup Final tomorrow (after the Royal Wedding) and Liverpool meet Real Madrid in the Champions League decider next Saturday. You can back Meghan to be wearing WHITE at 10/1 with Ladbrokes but only for a pound which you could win betting on the playoff match tonight. Coventry have only failed to score once in their last 17 matches and one goal could be enough to reach the playoff final. Away goals don’t count double so a goalless draw would take the tie to extra time. However, COVENTRY can get the job done in 90 minutes and are 17/10 with Betfair to win the match in regular time.

It’s the third and final day of the York Dante meeting and the highlight is the Yorkshire Cup. Roaring Lion won the Dante Stakes by four and a half lengths yesterday and is now as low as 7/1 to win the Derby. The race is the most significant trial for the most famous Flat race in the world and Saxon Warrior has a viable opponent but the favourite should still prevail.  Ryan Moore rides Max Dynamite for Willie Mullins in the Yorkshire Cup and that could be a tip in itself. However, the best jockey could be beaten by the most famous jockey because Frankie Dettori is on board STRADIVARIUS and the horse cannot be opposed at 10/11 with bet365.

More Group 1 Wins For O’Brien – By Ian Hudson

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It’s Irish Guineas weekend and when the Classics are taking place in the UK and Ireland one man dominates. Aidan O’Brien set a world record for most Group 1 and Grade 1 wins last season and he’s already made his mark in the Flat races that matter most in 2018. Saxon Warrior won the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas and the horse is now odds on to win the Derby and there is talk of the Triple Crown, not achieved since Nijinsky won three Classics in 1970. O’Brien saddles the favourites for the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas run over a mile at the Curragh on Saturday and Sunday.

Saxon Warrior won the English Classic mainly contested by colts aged three with something in hand. The horse was much better value for the winning distance even though the horse that finished second was not the second best horse on form and ratings. The fact that Tip Two Win Laurens finished just one and a half lengths adrift in the Guineas would put question marks against the form but Saxon Warrior ran as though longer distances would be better and the Derby is run over one mile and four furlongs. The third leg of the treble is the St Leger which is run over one mile and six furlongs at Doncaster in September.

Gustav Klimt finished in sixth place over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, almost four lengths behind Saxon Warrior. The horse tracked the leaders but was unable to quicken and did not act on the track. The Curragh does not have the undulations and could be a better track for Gustav Klimt and you know O’Brien is not running the horse without being confident he can run well. However, the price is more based on the reputation of the trainer then proven form. With Saxon Warrior dominating the English Guineas was a truly run race and the winner ran on strongly.

Other than that horse the runner to take out of the race could be Elarqam. It was just a third career start and the horse looked very well in the paddock. Elarqam took a keen hold and could not quicken after being impeded. The horse recovered but could not run on again inside the final furlong but finished a length and a half in front of Gustav Klimt. In theory Elarqam should be the favourite for the Irish version and can confirm the form with the O’Brien horse. Masar beat Elarqam by half a length in the Guineas but made no impression on the first two at the business end of the race.

 

Clemmie was for some time the ante post favourite for the 1,000 Guineas but a minor injury ruled this O’Brien horse out of the race. Clemmie had shown better form than Happily who was the trainers man hope but the horse was found wanting on the track at Newmarket. Happily finished third in the race and was beaten by more than two lengths by the winner. Billesdon Brook was an unconsidered outsider but there are no fluke results in Classics. Soliloquy also brings Guineas form to the Curragh but Clemmie has the form to deliver another Group 1 contest for O’Brien.

O’Brien also sends over the favourite for the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in Rhododendron. The race is run over the straight mile so there should be no hard luck stories and the best horse on the day will win. That runner should be Rhododendron who represents last year’s Classic generation and has enough to beat the older horse. Addeybb has graduated from handicaps so may be found out and Rhododendron is tipped to give O’Brien more Group 1 success.