1000 Guineas day preview & tips | Simon Holt: Call the Qab
Top commentator Simon Holt continued his rich vein of form by picking 2000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia - find out if he can make it a Classic double on Sunday!
Recommended Bets, May 5
2pts win Qabala in 3.35 Newmarket at 7/2
1pt win Victory Angel in 2.55 Newmarket at 10/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
SUNDAY'S Qipco 1000 Guineas looks an open renewal but the likely favourite QABALA is taken to improve on her victory in the Nell Gwyn Stakes.
Roger Varian's daughter of Scat Daddy has won both her starts on this course and the way she hit the line here just under three weeks ago over seven furlongs, offers plenty of hope that she will stay a mile well.
What was interesting about the Nell Gwyn was that Varian's other runner, the re-opposing runner-up Mot Juste, was ridden by stable jockey Andrea Atzeni yet proved less strong in the market with a welter of cash coming for Qabala, aboard whom David Egan (who keeps the mount) again impressed.
Those placings can be confirmed and a bigger threat to the selection may come from Skitter Scatter, another daughter of Scat Daddy, who progressed to win her final three starts as a juvenile culminating in a two length defeat of recent winner Lady Kaya in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh in August.
On pedigree, she should get a mile (but maybe not much more) and appears to have a very likeable attitude.
As ever, Aidan O'Brien is well represented with Ryan Moore opting to ride Just Wonderful who was last seen finishing fourth behind the outstanding Newspaperofrecord at the Breeders Cup.
The daughter of Dansili (out of a Montjeu mare) had earlier beaten recent Fred Darling Stakes winner Dandhu over seven furlongs here in the Rockfel Stakes and is just preferred to stable-mates Fairyland, Fleeting and Hermosa.
Joseph O'Brien, who has made such a stunning start to his training career, could also have a big say with Iridessa who looked all about stamina when beating Hermosa in the Fillies Mile here last October (at 14-1) and should come on for her comeback third behind Lady Kaya over just seven furlongs on soft ground at Leopardstown.
In the Longholes Handicap, the now gelded VICTORY ANGEL is well enough handicapped to make a winning start for his new trainer, sprint specialist Robert Cowell.
The five-year-old hasn't always been the most consistent of performers but he was beaten only a length into fourth in this race last year and now gets a 6lb pull with the winner Gifted Master.
Victory Angel was also a winner over this course and distance for former trainer Roger Varian in 2017 and, if benefitting from the change of stables, looks a value bet as he goes well fresh and clearly handles the Rowley Mile's undulations well.