Hello Good Morning and Welcome
GUINEAS – ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
With precious little emerging to challenge the Coolmore domination of the first Classics it seems pretty certain that both Guineas prizes will be heading back to the Emerald Isle.
As usual Aiden O’Brien’s team have been somewhat spasmodic in the early weeks but there have been enough glimpses of brilliance to suggest the yard is in form and that the Ante Post favourites are on track and have suffered no setbacks in their preparation.
In recent times most of the Ballydoyle runners in the 2,000 Guineas have been Derby horses using Newmarket as a stepping stone for the main prize at Epsom. These have included Australia, Camelot and St Nicholas Abbey. This is not the case with Air Force Blue who has been targeted purely at the Rowley Mile as his first objective. With little appearing from the few trials to defend the prize and it might be left to Buratino and try and keep it in Blighty.
It’s the same with the fillies and Minding does nothing but tighten in the betting. She was paid a compliment with the victory of Nathra in the Nell Gwyn and there does not seem to be anything emerging from France and while Qemah was hugely impressive in the Prix de la Grotte at Chantilly on Wednesday she will almost certainly go for the French version.
Interest in the 2,000 Guineas was taken down a peg with the withdrawal of Emotionless a couple of days ago. I did warn last week that the colt may not be over his operation and that he was walking gingerly on his near fore after the workout. This was not picked up in the Press and this information was exclusive to readers of Betfan. Despite Charlie Appleby being very upbeat readers were correctly put on notice.
Once again Betfan gets the main info first!!
Referring to Godolphin it might not be all bad news as the galloping companion – Bow and Arrow is definitely on an upward curve and should be noted in his own right.
I also mentioned last week that Jadaayil was a possibility for the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot and Charlie Hills confirmed that this was indeed the target for the filly in his column in the Weekender. She was given a handicap mark of 84 for her win and will need to get up to 93 if she is to get in the race. A win in the Coronation Fillies Handicap at Leicester on 30th May should be sufficient to get her to the Royal Meeting.
Similarly I mentioned that Daqeeq trained by Simon Crisford could be a runner at the same meeting in the King George V handicap on the Thursday. He was given a rating of 90 and this is ideal. The first four home in last year’s running were on marks of 88 91 86 and 89 respectively.
The Galileo Stallion Machine continues apace and The Gurkha added his claims to the Classic roster with an impressive display at Navan recently where he had them strung out like a line of washing. Trainer Aiden said the French Guineas was his next assignment and he will surely enter Epsom calculations if he gives a fair performance there. While US Army Ranger is clear favourite at the moment at around 4/1 it would be premature to assume that the Blue Riband is his and his stamina laden siblings cannot be ruled out. After all few gallops take place over the full trip of 12 furlongs at home and stamina is always the main issue at Epsom.
Good Luck and May The Gambling Gods be With You.
Chris Anzani Racing
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