15:35 Newmarket

Saturday 2 May 2026

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1)

3YO only | Class 1 | 1m | 15 Runners | Turf

(4)

Alparslan¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 112

20/1

Has met with defeat just once (when sixth in the Dewhurst) and took another step forward when landing the Greenham at Newbury on his return, plenty going his way as he made all close to the stand rail. Isn't sure to stay 1m.

Form: 116-1

(8)

Avicenna¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 105

12/1

Created a very good impression when successful twice over 7f at Doncaster last year, latterly edging out Hankelow in a listed event. Lost his unbeaten record but shaped well when 2 lengths second of 5 to Oxagon in Craven over C&D 16 days ago, although he didn't appear to handle the Dip that well.

Form: 11-2

(6)

Billecart²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rowan Scott| T: K R Burke| OR: 95| D

150/1

Fourth in a strong July meeting maiden on debut and he easily dispatched 3 rivals in 1m Newcastle novice on return in February. Too keen when 7 lengths fifth (Padraig Dawn second) in listed race back at Newcastle on Good Friday. Retains potential but this looks a step too far.

Form: 4-15

(15)

Bow Echo²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 115| CD

4/1

Unbeaten in 3 outings as a juvenile, culminating with an impressive display in the Royal Lodge over C&D (good to firm) in September, making smooth headway into contention before driven out to beat Humanity by a length. Very smart prospect.

Form: 111-

(2)

Distant Storm²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 115| C

9/2

Looked out of the top drawer when easy winner of a 7f course Group 3 (good to firm) in September. Unable to quicken in the same way when 2¼ lengths third of 9 to Gewan in Dewhurst back here (7f, good to firm) in October but remains a top prospect. The step up to 1m is likely to suit.

Form: 1313-

(7)

Gstaad¹⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 119| D

11/4

Impressive winner of Coventry at Royal Ascot. Runner-up in Group 1s over 6f/7f on next 3 starts (including Dewhurst here) before getting his head in front at the highest level in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar (1m, firm). Solid for yard seeking an 11th win in this but first since 2019.

Form: 112221-

(3)

Into The Sky²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: J R Boyle| OR: 107

20/1

Produced a level rarely seen in a newcomer when blitzing 12 rivals in a 6.5f Newbury maiden (good to firm) in August. Inexperience was the only thing which cost him victory in the Mill Reef back at Newbury (6f, soft) 23 days later. Very exciting but stamina a big worry stepped up to 1m on return.

Form: 12-

(13)

King's Trail³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 101| D

9/1

Has looked good going 2-2 over 1m at Kempton, latterly in the same conditions race the yard's Notable Speech won before taking this in 2024. Buick sticks with Distant Storm but this Sea The Stars colt has the potential for considerable improvement.

Form: 1-1

(14)

Lord Britain^t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: I Mohammed| OR: 84

250/1

All-weather novice winner last summer. Good 5 lengths fifth to King's Trial in a conditions race at Kempton (1m) on reappearance but he's a long way off the required standard here.

Form: 5138-4

(1)

Needle Match¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 106

12/1

Made a winning debut at Newbury (6.5f, heavy) last autumn. Much improved, despite still needing the experience, when 2¼ lengths fourth of 8 to Alparslan in Greenham there (7f, good) on reappearance 14 days ago. Sure to progress further, particularly at 1m.

Form: 1-4

(10)

Oxagon^p¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112| CD

9/1

Second in the Champagne and fifth in the Dewhurst last autumn. Floundered in the mud at Doncaster on final 2-y-o start but resumed his progression back on quicker ground (and in first-time cheekpieces) when proving 2 lengths too strong for Avicenna in the Craven over C&D 16 days ago.

Form: 51255-1

(12)

Padraig Dawn²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Charlie Pike| OR: 105

50/1

Provided rookie trainer with his first winner when justifying market support in 7f Southwell novice on debut. Acquitted himself very well up in class when neck second to Timeforshowcasing in listed race at Newcastle (1m) on Good Friday but another jolt of improvement needed to get involved here.

Form: 12

(9)

Power Blue²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Egan| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 113

33/1

Smart effort to win the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (6f, good to firm) last August. Below par when 2½ lengths second to Thesecretadversary (who received 3 lb) in 7f Leopardstown Group 3 on reappearance but he's entitled to be sharper for the run.

Form: 32531-2

(5)

Thesecretadversary²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J A Stack| OR: 109

20/1

Listed winner over 7.5f at Tipperary last summer and reappeared to win a Group 3 at Leopardstown (7f, soft) by 2½ lengths from reopposing Power Blue. A good deal more will be required here, though.

Form: 22215-1

(11)

Venetian Prince^p1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 102

66/1

Useful colt who produced his best effort when 3¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Oxagon in Craven over C&D (good to firm) 16 days ago. First-time cheekpieces will need to spark major improvement if he's to provide his trainer with a third win in this since 2020.

Form: 61-224

Forecasts

Gstaad (11/4), Bow Echo (3/1), Distant Storm (7/2), King's Trail (8/1), Oxagon (10/1), Needle Match (14/1), Alparslan (14/1), Avicenna (14/1), Thesecretadversary (20/1), Into The Sky (25/1), Power Blue (33/1), Padraig Dawn (33/1), Billecart (100/1), Venetian Prince (100/1), Lord Britain (200/1)

The Charlie Appleby stable has been the dominant force in this in recent times and that trend may continue courtesy of DISTANT STORM, who quickened up in very good style to win a 7f course Group 3 last autumn. That devastating turn of foot was missing when third (Gstaad second) in the Dewhurst but he's taken to bounce back with a bang on his return. Unbeaten Royal Lodge winner Bow Echo is second choice ahead of Gstaad and the selection's stablemate King's Trail.