The QIPCO 2000 Guineas classic scheduled for this Saturday may have lost the participation of some high profile entries, including the brilliant Too Darn Hot, but it’s still set to be a very competitive betting heat.
We’ll take a look at the some of the best betting offers during the QIPCO 2000 Guineas Festival and pick out the key players for the two big classics, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas.
Both races look fairly open although the current favourite for the 2000 Guineas, Magna Grecia trained by Aiden O’Brien now looks a decent proposition in light of the recent defections.
THE QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS LEADING FANCIES
MAGNA GRECIA
This Aiden O’Brien charge won two decent Grade Ones as a two year old last autumn albeit by narrow margins. However, if Ballydoyle have managed to iron out his tendency to hang left at the business end of his races, this will be an all-round improved performer and good enough to compete for this kind of race.
Aiden O’Brien haS dominated this race in recent years with 4 wins since and including 2012 and this would be a hat trick if Magna Grecia were to oblige. He’s had a similar preparation to O’Brien’s winner last year, Saxon Warrior, both winning corresponding races at Doncaster. 7/2 best with Betfred who also offering Non Runner No Bet.
TEN SOVEREIGNS
The Aiden O’Brien second string is stepping up in distance after three wins over 6f including The Juddmonte Stakes at Newmarket last September. He shaped well in that win and looks like he may relish the extended trip. 5/1 best with William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power.
ADVERTISE
Clearly has the form pointers based on his impressive 2 ½ length second behind former favourite Too Darn Hot in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes over 7 furlongs at Newmarket last autumn.
That is great form considering how highly rated Too Darn Hot is. He also stayed on well to suggest that tackling one mile over the same course will not be an inconvenience at all. Great each way value with Betfair at 17/2. **CHOICE**
THE QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS LEADING FANCIES
QABALA
This Roger Varian trained filly has been extremely well backed this week, coming into 11/4 favourite from 7/2. Not surprising considering that her only two runs have both been wins at Newmarket, most noticeably being a couple of weeks ago where she won a Grade 3 listed event, impressively seeing off a couple of significant rivals: 1000 Guineas participants Mot Juste and Angel’s Hideaway.
She was certainly stretching her wings in the run up to the line so should find the step up to 1 mile to be no difficulty at all. Great chance. 11/4 best with Betfair, Paddy Power and Betfred.
SKITTER SCATTER
Comes into the reckoning after a hat trick of wins in Ireland under new trainer John Oxx. Her latest win, a 7 furlong Grade One contest at The Curragh, really underlined her staying credentials and suggests with good to soft ground she’ll handle the step up to one mile at Newmarket.
John Oxx will be eager to emulate the success of Sea The Stars who won this race ten years ago. Best priced 6/1 with Betfair, Paddy Power and Betfred.
JUST WONDERFUL
The Aiden O’Brien team are led by the improving filly Just Wonderful, although she has to find a bit on the formbook with Skitter Scatter as Just Wonderful was 10 lengths down when they met at The Curragh in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Grade One) last September.
However, a respectable 4th in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last November really puts her into the picture and is expected to improve for that run. Interesting contender. 7/1 best with William Hill, Bet Victor, Paddy Power.
RECAP
The withdrawal of Too Darn Hot from the 2000 Guineas is a major disappointment. She emerged as an exciting talent for John Gosden and owners the Lloyd-Webbers last autumn and looked set to run a big race in this classic. Nevertheless, top quality in the fields remain and Advertise, the horse which got within 3 lengths of Too Darn Hot in The Dewhurst is a worthy choice for me to win the 2000 Guineas on Saturday.
Just Wonderful should improve as a 3 year old and turn the tables on Skitter Scatter to claim another 1000 Guineas win for Aiden O’Brien and the Ballydoyle team.
QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS, SATURDAY 4TH MAY: ADVERTISE e/w 17/1 Betfair
QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS, SUNDAY 5TH MAY: JUST WONDERFUL win, 7/1 William Hill
Best priced odds. All odds are correct at the time of publishing (12:00 30th April 2019) and are subject to change.
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