Advertisement
Inpho
Whip Hand

Underwhelming feel to 2000 Guineas day

Here’s who to back despite the small field and absence of a real superstar like Frankel.

IRELAND’S RUNNING OF the 2000 Guineas has an underwhelming feel this time around; mainly due to the relatively small field and absence of a real superstar like Frankel.

Most of the hype in the build-up to the Newmarket classic in late April concerned Henry Cecil’s colt, and he did not disappoint with a scintillating and scarcely believable victory.

While his margin of victory was not necessarily flattering, the fact that all of the fancied horses failed to run anywhere near to their form from last year; coupled with the presence of a 33/1, 100/1 and 200/1 shot in the first six means that it may not be the most reliable guide.

With this in mind, Dubawi Gold – the second from that day; may be taken on.

Having been held up off a strong pace Richard Hannon’s colt enjoyed a favourable passage and made late headway to pass beaten horses that had attempted to keep tabs on the eventual winner. He also came into the race as one of the few horses that had enjoyed a prep-run, having won twice on the all-weather in the spring.

The English trainer won the race last term with Canford Cliffs, but his charge this time does not look to be anywhere near the same calibre as his multiple group one winning miler.

Dunboyne Express is the most fancied of the Irish horses, having proved that he trained on with a workman-like victory in Leopardstown in their trial race. While ultimately he disappointed in the Racing Post Trophy in the final race of his two-year-old career, his trainer Kevin Prendergast revealed that he had suffered an interrupted preparation. He undoubtedly possesses a great deal of talent, and if he runs to the potential he showed last term he may well win.

The Coolmore owned Roderic O’Connor gave Frankel a race in the Dewhurst last October, but ran abysmally when he re-opposed in Newmarket. He has a Group One victory to his belt but that was on heavy ground, and considering how he ran last month the prevalent firm ground must be a concern. Aidan O’Brien’s horses do tend to come on for their seasonal debut however, and his first-run back was too poor to be true.

Considering the colt is still a maiden, John Oxx’s Zabarajad is well fancied in the betting.     The son of Invincible Spirit narrowly failed to beat French Guineas also-ran Imperial Rome earlier in the month, and with only three career starts to name he is open to improvement.

Oxx is not prone to tilting at windmills, but it may be too much to ask to open his bay’s account at this exalted level.

The remaining five runners have little chance of troubling the judges if running anywhere near their current level of form.

The first classic of the Irish season is in truth a trappy event, with doubts lingering about every horse in the field. The favourite appeared to be flattered last time out, while the Irish horses have to prove that their recent runs weren’t their true level of form.  It may be a race best watched.

Nap of the day

It’s interesting that connections chose to run Sing Softly in the Greenlands Stakes over six furlongs rather than wait a day for the 1000 Guineas over a mile. The filly showed smart form last time out by running a neck second to solid benchmark Barefoot Lady. She would certainly not have been out of place in the latter race, so it may be a tip in itself that O’Brien prefers this contest.

The drop back in trip shouldn’t inconvenience as she is related to many speedy types and was out-stayed slightly in her last race over seven-furlongs.

While three-year-olds don’t have a great record in the race, they do receive a handy weight allowance and this isn’t the strongest renewal. 11/4 is tempting.

Each-way

In the Temple Stakes in Haydock Sole Power has a reasonable chance of following up on his big race victory in last year’s Nunthorpe Stakes. While in subsequent performances the Irish colt was a little under-par, his close third last time out signalled a return to form.

He seems to need a strong pace to show his true ability, and that should be guaranteed today. The faster they go the better he will finish, and the 12/1 now available could be made to look generous.