David Ord has a horse-by-horse guide to the 11 horses to have been declared for Saturday's Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Betfred 2000 Guineas
- When: 3.35, Saturday May 3
- Where: Newmarket, Rowley Mile
- First prize: £297,728.00
- TV: ITV & Racing TV (Sky 424)
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BENEVENTO
Looked ill-at-ease on the track when fourth behind Field Of Gold in the Craven which doesn't augur well. Four lengths to find with the favourite on that form. We've seen trial form reversed before but we’d be reaching for the Guineas shocks folder if it happened with this colt.
EXPANDED
Ran twice in the space of a week at two, winning on debut at the Curragh and getting within a neck of Shadow Of Light in the Dewhurst. Clearly low mileage and capable of better still.
FIELD OF GOLD
Hit a good Timeform number in winning the Craven and looked to have made significant progress from two to three that day. The one to beat on that evidence but the Guineas looks set to be run on quicker ground and the big field is a different scenario too. He might just need luck in running.
GREEN IMPACT
Went forward with every start at two and twice beat Delacroix, including when winning the Champions Juvenile at Leopardstown in September. He looks the sort to go on again at three and isn't easily dismissed.
RULING COURT
Cost 2.3m euros at the breeze-ups and showed plenty at two, winning at Sandown then finishing third in a strong renewal of the Acomb. Has the benefit of a run at Meydan in March where he showed a very smart turn of foot and William Buick has opted to ride him or Shadow Of Light. A fascinating contender.
SCORTHY CHAMP
Won two from three last term including the National Stakes where he claimed the scalp of Henri Matisse (at a time when plenty did). In good hands and the subject of encouraging reports this spring, should stay and is in the mix.
SEAGULLS ELEVEN
Has Premier League owners and some top-flight experience of his own but came up short against the likes of Scorthy Champ and Henri Matisse and hard to make a convincing case for.
SHADOW OF LIGHT
He looks a very fair price for a colt who won four of his five starts at two including the Middle Park and Dewhurst. He wasn't at his best in the latter contest but still got the better of Expanded and it was the four length-demolition of Whistlejacket in the six furlong Group One which suggested he had a sprinkling of stardust.
Stamina is the question but he got down and dirty to win at Dewhurst, is by Lope De Vega and the dam has produced mile winners. I think he’ll stay and run very, very well. His Rowley Mile know-how is another significant plus.
TORNADO ALERT
Representing the Saeed bin Suroor branch of Godolphin and opened his account at the second time of asking at Newcastle in October. Well bred but has tonnes to find on racecourse evidence so far.
WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE
Looked good when winning the Royal Lodge but firmly put in his place by Field Of Gold in the Craven last time. Might need to go up in trip to be seen to best effect this year.
YAH MO BE THERE
Listed winner at two but only fifth from off the pace behind Jonquil in the Greenham. Would be a surprise winner.
Verdict
Field Of Gold looked every inch a 2000 Guineas colt in winning the Craven and with a clear passage is the one to beat on Saturday. But he’s a short price facing a very different test.
William Buick rides Ruling Court which would indicate his prep work has been of the highest order, but stablemate SHADOW OF LIGHT looks the bet. He completed the Middle Park-Dewhurst double in the autumn and his performance in the former, where he settled and produced a rapier turn of foot, marked him out as a top-notcher.
There’s every chance he’ll stay on pedigree and racing style and he’s overpriced.
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