The 2,000 Guineas takes place today and you can read our full in-depth preview of both the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, which has been published separately.
There’s far more than just the Newmarket Classic to look forward to, though. It is a very busy day, indeed, with UK meetings also taking place at Goodwood, Thirsk, Uttoxeter, Doncaster and Hexham. There’s also plenty of top-class action in Ireland, France and South Africa.
We’ll start with Newmarket and look at some of the other big races on today’s card. The G3 Palace House Stakes is at 2.30 and it’s a 5f encounter for runners aged 3 and over. Ryan Moore will be on-board the veteran sprinter, Sole Power. The partnership looks up against it today, with Waady, Cotai Glory and Jungle Cat all set to pounce.
The G2 Jockey Club Stakes (3.05) will feature John Gosden’s Jack Hobbs. A winner of the G1 Irish Derby and the G3 September Stakes, he was last seen at ascot when finishing 3rd in the G1 Champion Stakes. The Halling Colt will look to put that disappointment behind him today. Simple Verse won the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, last time out, but an even greater performance may be needed if she is going to get the better of Jack Hobbs today.
Cymric looks a decent bet for the Listed Newmarket Stakes (4.55). He was somewhat fortunate to beat Massaat, when shedding his maiden tag at Sandown in July, but both horses have improved massively since then. Cymric was 3rd in the G3 Acomb Stakes and 2nd in the G1 Prix Jean-luc Lagardere, at Longchamp. His biggest threats come from 3 lightly raced runners. Abdon, Sky Kingdom and Tathqeef all look very handy.
Diamond Cut In The Weights, At Goodwood
There’s Listed action at Goodwood, with the Conqueror Stakes scheduled for 4.00. Pure Diamond benefits from weight advantage and won another Listed contest at Meydan, just last month. Volunteer Point has shown plenty of decent form and we’ll find out if Mick Channon’s inmate can replicate it on turf. Military Angel has placed at this level, as well as in Group company, but the American filly needs to show she has the will to win as she has not done so since debuting at Roscommon in September 2014.
Limini Back Amongst The Ladies
It’s the final day of what has been a memorable Punchestown Festival and today’s big race is the G1 Mares Champion Hurdle. Limini is the one they all have to beat and it will be a sizeable task. Her performance in the G1 Top Novices’ Hurdle, when she was a beaten favourite, is best ignored as she was taking on males and took a keen hold. Limini looks to have the measure of Slowmotion, who goes for Aidan O’Brien. Watch out for that horse next season, though!
Apple’s Jade To Bear Fruit For Connections?
Apple’s Jade takes on Ivanovich Gorbatov, in the G1 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle. The French Filly was 2nd to her principal rival in the G1 Triumph Hurdle and won the G1 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, at Aintree earlier this month. Footpad, Clan Des Obeaux and Sceau Royal are also in this race, so it should be an absolute belter!
Big Meetings At Turffontein And Auteuil
There’s a huge meeting at Auteuil, in France. The black-type races are the Listed Juvenile Hurdle, the G2 Jean Stern Chase, the G2 Amadou Hurdle, the G2 Ingre Chase and the G2 Leon Rambaud Hurdle. 4 G1 contests will take place at Turffontein, in South Africa. These include the Derby, with Abashiri chasing the Triple Crown.
Don’t forget that CH4 Racing is broadcasting on both Saturday and Sunday, so you’ll be able to watch both the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas from the comfort of your own armchair!
