QIPCO 2000 Guineas report: Saxon Warrior gives Aidan O'Brien ninth victory

Sent off a 3/1 shot under the trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien - the jockey following his brother Joseph's footsteps in claiming a Classic success as a teenager - last year's Racing Post Trophy winner burst through with a couple of furlongs to go and stayed on to score by a length and a half.

Tip Two Win ran a massive race in second at 50/1, while the well-backed 5/2 favourite Masar could not build on the promise of his wide-margin Craven win and had to settle for third under William Buick.

It was a 300th Group One success for Aidan O'Brien, who was not on hand to see his son win the Guineas, with the trainer currently overseeing Mendelssohn's preparations ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Saxon Warrior's stable companion Murillo cut out the running down the centre of the track and he was followed by Elarqam, with Cardsharp left out on his own towards the far side.

Masar and Roaring Lion were prominent nearer the stands' side but as the race unfolded it was clear the giant Saxon Warrior was travelling within himself in behind the leaders and he cruised past Elarqam as they moved into the Dip.

The race was effectively over at the furlong marker and although the Roger Teal-trained outsider Tip Two Win battled bravely to repel the rest of the field, the winner was simply too good.

Mark Johnston's Elarqam, who got a little upset in the stalls, stuck to his task willingly after coming under pressure and finished half a length outside of the places in fourth, with Roaring Lion leaving his poor comeback run well behind with a creditable fifth under Oisin Murphy down on the rails.

The easy-to-back Gustav Klimt, winner of the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown last month, finished another length and a quarter further back in sixth while Greenham winner James Garfield was best of the rest.

Donnacha O'Brien told ITV Racing: "A huge thanks to all the owners for giving me the chance to ride him and especially to dad for the faith in putting me on him in the first place. It's very special. Obviously, I'm winning this race and riding in big races because of the position I'm in. I'm just very grateful.

"He's a very good horse, he's a proper horse."

Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick, said: "It was really eyecatching, Donnacha couldn't speak too highly of him. He said when he quickened it was all over in a flash.

"He probably got there sooner than he wanted to, but he had so much horse under him. It's very exciting when they have that speed and look like they'll get further. All things point to June (Derby) now. That's 300 Group Ones wins for Aidan and Donnacha's first Classic. They are an incredible family."

O'Brien's eldest son, Joseph, said: "It's very special. I thought Donnacha gave him a lovely ride. He's definitely a good horse. He's travelled and went through the line well."

Teal was proud of the effort of Tip Two Win.

He said: "I can't put it into words. I'm pinching myself. I was trying to watch it out the front, but I didn't bring my binoculars so all I could see was his white breast girth.

"When he came out of the dip I thought 'oh my God' - I'd got a chance of winning the Guineas and then he flashed by me. I was about 50 yards from the line. It's amazing. We knew we had a decent animal. He was only a 50/1 shot because he was trained by me.

"It's just a proud moment for us and I'm delighted for Anne (Cowley, owner). We entered him for the St James's Palace Stakes (at Royal Ascot), so I guess it will be that or the Jersey. We'll just get over today and digest it and see what happens."

Appleby said of Masar: "He lost nothing in defeat there. He has progressed with every run. William (Buick) was very happy that he got into a nice rhythm there. He said he just felt when they quickened up he just lacked that turn of foot.

"He is a horse with a Derby pedigree and that's where we will head now, all being well."

Epsom could also be on the agenda for Elarqam - potentially with a trip to York first.

Johnston said: “Fourth is not bad in the Guineas. You come here wanting to win, so it is a little bit of a downer. I’ve said all along that I was concerned that he was such an inexperienced horse. He beat the second horse three lengths last time out – and that one has had three or four runs since, while we just had a racecourse gallop.

“So, I was always a bit concerned with that. On top of that, we are still left with the debate, particularly since [Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager] Angus Gold said at the point of the race where he needed to find a turn of foot, he didn’t. He dwelt for a bit and that’s not the mark of a true miler. That may just be inexperience, but at the same time the first impression is he’ll go further.

“We always thought that might be case and that’s one of the reasons we came to the Guineas, as the Guineas is the best trial to see if you need to go further. We will go back and see where we go next. The Dante was Angus’ first thought. I have not had a Derby winner. I’ve had a Guineas winner. But at the same time I never like to write anything in stone, particularly with a horse that has only had three runs.

“Also, I always say ‘judge a horse by his best runs’ – although this may be his best run. He has come into today as a Group 3 winner, but he’s shown today that he’ll be able to mix it in Group 1 company without any trouble at all. Whether that’s over a mile or further, I don’t know. But the first impression is that it will be over further.”

Sky Bet reacted by making Saxon Warrior an even-money chance to extend his unbeaten record in the Investec Derby, while the son of Deep Impact is currently 8/1 for the St Leger at Doncaster in the middle of September.

Sky Bet's Michael Shinners commented: "Saxon Warrior was incredibly impressive and is clearly the one to beat in the Investec Derby.

"His pedigree suggests that he will have no problems getting middle-distance trips and he is now even money from 3/1 for Epsom’s showpiece."

Related links

• 1000 Guineas trends
• 1000 Guineas horse by horse guide
• Latest Sky Bet odds and offers
• Free horse racing betting tips
• Latest racecards and video form
• Today's fast results
• Today's full results
• Non-runners
• Going updates
• Latest Naps Table
• ABC Guide