AUGUSTE RODIN can grab victory in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas Stakes (British Champions Series) (Colts & Fillies) (4.50pm) at Newmarket on Saturday. While on Sunday back at Headquarters MEDITATE can bring up another Aidan O’Brien Classic double by landing the Group One QIPCO 1,000 Guineas Stakes (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (3.40pm).
The first Classic of the season can go to O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin who can triumph and set up a potential Triple Crown bid this season. The son of Deep Impact looked hugely impressive as a juvenile, winning three times from four starts. His final two-year-old success came in superb fashion as he landed the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes comfortably and shot to the head of the ante-post betting for the Derby at Epsom, with stamina on pedigree almost assured. He should stay at least the 1m4f of the Epsom Classic and could certainly stretch to the 1m6f of the St Leger in the autumn if he has already won the two Classics beforehand.
Possibly this first Classic bid will be his toughest assignment. But having already won at the mile and shown the requisite speed for the 2,000 Guineas as well, he is set for victory. Only a true miler with that slightly bit more speed – like stable-mate Little Big Bear, who was a stunning winner of the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last August before suffering an injury which kept him out for the season – is likely to deny Auguste Rodin a first Classic success at Headquarters. But he may just have too much class and score before setting up a mouth-watering campaign for his Coolmore owners and Ballydoyle maestro O’Brien.
John Ryan’s MANACCAN can book a trip to next month’s Royal Ascot with victory in the Group Three Howden Palace House Stakes (4pm).
The four-year-old progressed well last season going from handicapper to Group Three winner. After Listed successes at Doncaster and at Ascot in October, he scored in Pattern company at Dundalk on his final start. He looks a rapidly-improving sprinter, who is in a fine spell of form. He can score again on his seasonal return before possibly stepping up to Group One company in the King’s Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Michael Dods’ consistent mare, GALE FORCE MAYA, can land another course and distance win on her return in the Listed Howden British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes (Formerly The Kilvington Stakes) (Fillies & Mares) (2.15pm). The seven-year-old won five times last year, included two at this Listed level, and following a winter break she can land another victory at Headquarters.
Marco Botti’s SILVER SAMURAI may be still a little high in the handicap, but following a fine return at Kempton when fourth last month, he may be able to land a career-best success in the Howden Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (2.50pm).
On the day of King Charles III’s Coronation, there may be a Royal winner with SAGA in the Howden Suffolk Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (3.25pm). The John & Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old has not won since he was a juvenile but ran some fine races in defeat last year, particularly when second in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is still open to plenty of improvement and may score in the new King’s famous colours.
Charlie Johnston’s consistent CAPITAL THEORY can land the opener, the Howden Handicap (1.40pm). While the Roger Varian-trained ALMATY STAR may take the newmarketracecourses.Co.UK Handicap (5.15pm) and Charlie Appleby’s STRIKING STAR, under Liverpool FC fan William Buick, can win the finale, the Discover Newmarket ‘Confined’ Handicap (Which Have Won No More Than One Race) (5.50pm).
At Goodwood the Sir Michael Stoute-trained POTAPOVA can win the Listed William Hill Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes (1.55pm). While other potential winners at Goodwood are Clive Cox’s HAVANA BLUE in the William Hill Extra Places Every Day Handicap (1.20pm); the Richard Hughes-trained AUSSIE BANKER in the William Hill Epic Value Handicap (3.05pm); and ANISOPTERA in the Dementia Support Charity Handicap (3.45pm).
At Thirsk the Ann Duffield-trained BILLYB – to be ridden by Warrington jockey Paul Hanagan – can win the Vickers.Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap (3.40pm). While George Boughey’s SPORTING HERO can take the Vickers.Bet Coronation Trophy Handicap (3.10pm).
At Newmarket on Sunday Meditate can win the 1,000 Guineas. O’Brien’s No Nay Never filly ended her juvenile campaign with a fine success over a mile in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland. She clearly showed she stays this distance and although she has something to find with likely favourite – the Dermot Weld-trained Tahiyra – who she was second to in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last September, she is likely to improve again now a three-year-old. She could be very good and it should be another fine battle with the aforementioned Tahiyra and Lezoo – who also beat Meditate in the six-furlong Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes last season.
Godolphin’s WITH THE MOONLIGHT – second in a Grade One contest at Keeneland last month – can win the Group Two Dahlia Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (3pm) on what could be a profitable afternoon for trainer Appleby and jockey Buick. They may also score with QUEEN OF FAIRIES in the Listed Howden Pretty Polly Stakes (Fillies) (2.25pm) and ON POINT in the British EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (4.15pm).
Appleby and Buick may, though, suffer disappointment with the returning 2021 Derby hero Adayar in the rearranged Group Three Bet365 Gordon Richard Stakes. He may come on for the run, but a chance is taken on the improving ANMAAT, from the Owen Burrows stable, just beating him on this occasion.
Adrian Keatley's LEGENDARY DAY can build on his recent win over two miles at Ripon dropped back to 1m6f in the Howden Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (1.50pm).
Other winners at Newmarket could be Andrew Balding’s recent Epsom scorer KADOVAR in the Howden Handicap (4.50pm) and the Johnston-trained COOL PARTY in the finale, the Howden Handicap (5.25pm).
Wright Ones
NEWMARKET (Saturday)
1.40pm Capital Theory
2.15pm Gale Force Maya
2.50pm Silver Samurai
3.25pm Saga
4pm Manaccan
4.40pm Auguste Rodin (NAP)
5.15pm Almaty Star
5.50pm Striking Star
GOODWOOD
1.20pm Havana Blue
1.55pm Potapova
2.30pm Love Is A Rose
3.05pm Aussie Banker
3.45pm Anisoptera
4.20pm Umming N’ Ahing
5pm Johnjay
THIRSK
1.30pm Lochaber
2pm Maple Jack
2.35pm Britannica
3.10pm Sporting Hero
3.40pm Billyb
4.15pm El Borracho
4.55pm Tele Red
DONCASTER
5.20pm Escarpment
5.55pm Battaah
6.25pm Bangles Joe
6.55pm Danzan
7.25pm Billy No Mates
7.55pm Fennor Cross
8.25pm Muntadab
NEWMARKET (Sunday)
1.15pm Anmaat
1.50pm Legendary Day
2.25pm Queen Of Fairies
3pm With The Moonlight
3.40pm Meditate (NAP)
4.15pm On Point
4.50pm Kadovar
5.25pm Cool Party
