Katie Midwinter (03/05/24)
NEWMARKET
3:35pm – Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1)
City Of Troy – A P O’Brien, Ryan Moore
The unbeaten son of Justify, out of Group One Fillies’ Miles winner Together Forever, sets the standard in this renewal of the prestigious 2000 Guineas Stakes. With a record of three from three, last seen winning the Dewhurst Stakes on rain softened ground at the track, he has the potential to become the next Ballydoyle superstar and has been touted as a possible Triple Crown contender.
Whether or not he will live up to the expectation surrounding him remains to be seen, but on all known form he is nearly impossible to oppose. He has the beating of a number of his rivals and could prove to be even better this term, with the benefit of experience and expected improvement from a juvenile to a three-year-old.
There hasn’t appeared to be a chink in his armour yet. The only slight concern would be the lack of a recent run, and he is yet to prove himself over a mile. If the rain continues to fall at Newmarket, it may turn into a real test. City Of Troy will have to prove himself, but he should possess the quality required to claim the trophy.
Rosallion – Richard Hannon, Sean Levey
Three from four in his career, his only defeat coming on soft ground in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, Rosallion’s participation in the race could come under threat if there continues to be heavy rainfall at the track. He needs drier ground to be seen to best effect, and the softer the ground becomes, the less chance he has of overturning the hot favourite. The Blue Point colt clearly possesses plenty of ability, with his impressive Group One victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere proving his quality. He has huge potential, but the ground may go against him.
Notable Speech – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
Significantly up in grade and unexposed, the Dubawi colt makes his first appearance on turf in this competitive contest. The sole Godolphin representative in the field, with trainer Charlie Appleby currently performing at a 36 percent strike-rate, he must be respected and the best is likely still to come. However, it would be some feat if he was able to claim Classic success with such little experience at this level.
Ghostwriter – Clive Cox, Richard Kingscote
The course-and-distance winner won the Royal Lodge Stakes when last seen, beating the talented Al Musmak, as well as the likes of Capulet and Macduff. The course form is a huge plus and he looks to be improving with each run. More improvement is needed to match the level shown by the favourite, but he is far from a forlorn hope.
Night Raider – K R Burke, Daniel Tudhope
Trainer Karl Burke has started the season well, saddling plenty of winners, and his unexposed Dark Angel colt could have a part to play in the first Classic of the new campaign. With two comfortable all-weather wins to his name, the ceiling of his ability is yet to be reached and, although he will have to take another step forward in this field, he could go well at a price.
Alyanaabi – Owen Burrows, Jim Crowley
A winner of a seven furlong Group Three at the course, beating subsequent Listed winner Boiling Point, the Too Darn Hot colt has shown promise but was soundly beaten by City Of Troy when last seen and has plenty to find to reverse that form. He was also well beaten by Rosallion at Ascot and looks exposed, but he may have improved plenty with age and goes well when fresh.
Task Force – Ralph Beckett, Rossa Ryan
The son of Frankel makes his first appearance following wind surgery on his first run since finishing second to Vandeek in the Middle Park Stakes. He won a Listed Ripon contest over six furlongs on his penultimate start and steps up significantly in trip here. Out of 1000 Guineas winner Special Duty, with his sire an exceptional winner of this race in 2011, he has obvious Classic credentials and on pedigree should be competitive. However, the Ralph Beckett yard form is a concern.
Iberian – Charles Hills, Tom Marquand
A Group Two winner of the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, when beating a field including two subsequent Group One winners in Sunway and Rosallion, respectively, plus subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf second Mountain Bear, Iberian should appreciate softer conditions should the rain continue to fall. Drier ground may be a concern, but should it turn into a test it may bring him into contention at a big price.
Haatem – Richard Hannon, James Doyle
Another course-and-distance winner and the second Richard Hannon representative in the line up, Haatem made a winning start to his season in impressive fashion when landing the Craven Stakes recently. Highly tried as a two-year-old, he was soundly beaten by City Of Troy in the Superlative Stakes but did finish best of the rest. With plenty of experience to his advantage, plus the benefit of a recent winning run, the likable Phoenix Of Spain colt holds each-way claims.
Inisherin – Kevin Ryan, Tom Eaves
Able to outrun his odds despite showing greenness on debut at the track, Inisherin improved plenty for his first outing to land a maiden success at Newcastle, comfortably beating Kalpana who has since franked the form. Unexposed, representing in-form owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, the son of Shamardal could show plenty of improvement but a sounder surface may have been preferred.
Ten Bob Tony – Ed Walker, Saffie Osborne
The flashy chestnut recently won at the track over seven furlongs, beating Boiling Point by a length. Whilst he’ll need to take another step forward in this competitive race, the form has been franked and he has proven he possesses quality. He has proven form on soft ground and is another who could go well at a price.
Verdict:
1 – CITY OF TROY 8/11
2 – Iberian 33/1
3 – Haatem 28/1
* all prices are correct at the time of publication
Photo by Mike Kotsch on Unsplash
THE CONDITIONAL 