David Ord's horse-by-horse guide to Saturday's QIPCO 2000 Guineas and he's siding with Aidan O'Brien to a claim a ninth victory.
CARDSHARP
Typically teak-tough two-year-old for his yard in 2017 and included the Woodcote Stakes in his three-win haul from 10 starts. However, was twice found out in Group One company and nothing from his reappearance run at Deauville suggested he was about to take a significant leap forward at three.
ELARQAM
Son of Frankel and Attraction so bred to win a Guineas and may well do so based on an unbeaten, two-race juvenile career. The second of those came in the Tattersalls Stakes here and connections have been pleased with his preparation. Trip will suit and he'll hit the line hard. A lot to like.
EXPERT EYE
Looked a potential top notcher when sweeping clear to win the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, but beaten twice since. Completely bombed out in the Dewhurst and while Greenham second to James Garfield was a step back in the right direction, the dazzling summer turn of foot was again missing. Needs to learn to settle and plenty of questions to answer with the likely big field not certain to suit either.
GUSTAV KLIMT
Won the Superlative Stakes at the Newmarket July Festival and was racing for the first time since when reeling in Imaging to win the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas trial. He was in against a race-fit rival who got first run there and it was a terrific effort. No wonder it catapulted him to head of this market.
HEADWAY
Striking winner at Lingfield on Good Friday, showing sharp turn of foot to catch the freewheeling Rufus King. Placed in Coventry and Gimcrack at two so good Group form to his name – but this is deeper and despite the strong visual impression he made on his return – others make more appeal.
JAMES GARFIELD
Mill Reef winner at two and better than ever when landing the Greenham at Newbury on his reappearance. Plenty to like about that performance but he's unproven over this mile trip and the balance of his form leaves with with something to find.
MASAR
Yard flying this spring and he spread-eagled his field in the Craven over course and distance two weeks ago. That looked the performance of a top-notch colt but he was able to dictate from the front that day and won’t be allowed the same luxury here.
MURILLO
Good sprinting juvenile for Aidan O'Brien last season but his presence here would surely be to set even early fractions for the Ballydoyle big guns.
NEBO
Second to Gustav Klimt in the Superlative Stakes at two but looks more exposed and nothing in his reappearance seventh in the Free Handicap to suggest he has returned on a steep upward curve.
RAID
Having only the second start of his life when fourth in the Greenham and entitled to have learned plenty there but this is altogether tougher for all he is a colt with potential.
RAJASINGHE
Touched off Headway to win Coventry at Royal Ascot but beaten in three subsequent starts and hard to think he won’t be best returned to sprint trips later in the season.
ROARING LION
Looked a serious Guineas prospect when touched off by Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy last term (quickened past rival only to be worn down again). However, beaten long way in Craven on reappearance and John Gosden’s immediate reaction was to target the Dante over ten furlongs. Others may have more toe.
SAXON WARRIOR
His Doncaster win made it three from three as a juvenile and he looks a very exciting prospect. Bred to get further than this, he got better with racing last term and should continue to thrive at three. An awful lot to like but the question mark is the trip as a mile will be at the very bottom end of his stamina requirements this season.
TIP TWO WIN
Winner at Doha in December and February which wouldn’t be the traditional route to Newmarket for and the balance of his useful juvenile form in Britain suggests he is about the right price.
VERDICT:
Aidan O’Brien holds his traditional strong hand and GUSTAV Klimt and Saxon Warrior look to head the challenge, unless the master trainer can rekindle the fires in U S Navy Flag. The former gets the nod after proving his well-being with an impressive victory at Leopardstown last month.
Elarqam can also take a hand for Mark Johnston, despite his relative lack of experience, with a move up from seven furlongs to a mile expected to spark significant improvement.
1st Gustav Klimt
2nd Saxon Warrior
3rd Elarqam
Related links
- Latest Sky Bet odds and offers
- Latest racecards and video form
- Aidan O'Brien: Fate of the favourites
- Sky Bet Price Boost: Guineas double
- 2000 Guineas: Matt's Stats guide
- 2000 Guineas horse-by-horse guide
- 1000 Guineas horse-by-horse guide
- Pedigree Pointers: 2000 Guineas
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- Alex Hammond: On the Guineas
- Ed Chamberlin: On the Guineas