Some of the stars on show this weekend

Guide to Classic weekend including QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Kentucky Derby

Horse Racing

Sun May 06, 2018 · 7y ago

It's a massive weekend with the first British Classics of the 2018 campaign, plus the Kentucky Derby - we've got all angles covered with tips, features, racecards and free video form.

It's a significant weekend in the world of racing as Newmarket stages the first Classics of the British Flat season.

Saturday's QIPCO 2000 Guineas has a familiar feel to it with two Aidan O'Brien-trained runners towards the top of the betting market, but there's serious depth to the quality of this year's field, with the likes of Masar, Expert Eye and Elarqam aiming to bring down the Ballydoyle juggernaut, which is headed by Gustav Klimt.

The QIPCO 1000 Guineas takes centre-stage as the fillies vie for stardom on day two of the meeting on Sunday, with Coolmore and Godolphin locking horns again as Happily and I Can Fly clash with Soliloquy and Wild Illusion.

There's also the small matter of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Down on Saturday night (2350 BST), with a cool $2million dollars to the winner.

It could be an incredible weekend for O'Brien - even by his own dizzying standards - with Breeders' Cup and runaway UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn bidding to provide the trainer with a first success in the "Run for the Roses".

We've got a packed schedule of previews, features and tips ahead of the star-studded meetings on both sides of the Atlantic so tuck in and enjoy the feast. Scroll down for all you need to know!

QIPCO 2000 Guineas - 1535 Newmarket, Saturday

Ben Linfoot's Value Bet - Our flagship tipster has three at big prices

Catching Pigeons - Tips and gossip from the major training centres

Oli Bell's Saturday Yankee - The ITV Racing man with his best bets for Newmarket on Saturday where Andrew Balding looks to be a trainer to follow

Simon Holt tips - The popular commentator is backing Aidan O'Brien to win the feature

Horse-by-horse guide - David Ord runs through the field for the 2000 Guineas

Key talking points - Matt Brocklebank on the big issues ahead of the first Classic

Pedigree pointers - Ben Linfoot delivers a verdict on the breeding of the leading players

Stats guide - Matt Brocklebank runs through the last 10 editions for clues

Alex Hammond blog - The Sky Sports guru with her fancies for the great race

Ed Chamberlin preview - The ITV Racing anchor looks ahead to a Classic weekend

Mike Cattermole tips - The top broadcaster offers his 1-2-3-4 for the 2000 Guineas

Saturday's racing preview - Keith Hamer has a selection for every race at every meeting

Catching Pigeons - Gossip and tips from the major training centres, including Newmarket

O'Brien: Fate of the favourites - David Ord takes a look at Aidan O'Brien's record with market leaders in the 2000 Guineas

Kentucky Derby - 2350 Churchill Downs, Saturday

Horse by horse guide - We've secured the assistance of Daily Racing Form's Southern California correspondent Steve Andersen to guide us through the field for the 2018 Kentucky Derby

Mendelssohn latest - Ryan Moore says Mendelssohn ‘has the form to mount a serious challenge’ in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday

Favourite Justify (left) and Mendelssohn do battle at Churchill Downs

QIPCO 1000 Guineas - 1535 Newmarket, Sunday

Horse-by-horse guide - David Ord looks ahead to Sunday's feature and he's siding with a northern raider to light up Newmarket

Stats guide - Matt Brocklebank settles on Soliloquy after highlighting the key recent trends

Alex Hammond blog - The Sky Sports guru with her fancies for the 1000 Guineas