Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket

the first major classic of the season, the Two Thousand Guineas, which is run today at 16.10 CET over the straight mile at Newmarket, is being run for the 201st time and looks very open indeed. The Irish have an excellent record in recent years and Aidan O´Brien, who has won this race 5 times already, saddles two likely candidates in Rip van Winkle, the choice of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh, and Mastercraftsman, partnered by Irish champion jockey Pat Smullen. Rip van Winkle was a doubtful runner a few days ago because of a stone bruise, but O´Brien would not risk him now if not 100% convinced of his well-being. However there is not much between the pair on form, and Rip Van Winkle was only 7th (although not beaten far after not getting the run of the race) in last year´s Dewhurst Stakes here, behind several of today´s opponents. Two other Irish hopes are Sea the Stars (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane), a half-brother to Galileo, and Gan Amhras (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) and they can also both be expected to figure. Best of the Brits would appear to be Delegator (Brian Meehan/ Jamie Spencer), also beaten in the Dewhurst, but an easy winner of the Craven Stakes here. However there is a suspicion that that was a sub-standard race, and it would come as no surprise to see most of the prize-money disappear across the Irish Sea.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Foolin Myself - Confront - Flipando
2. Race: Spanish Moon - Casual Conquest - Bronze Cannon
3. Race: Rip Van Winkle - Delegator - Mastercraftsman
4. Race: Borderlescott - Amour Propre - Chief Editor
5. Race: Infiraad - Calligrapher - Aunt Nicola
6. Race: Sopranist - Spring Of Fame - Your Old Pal
7. Race: Ave - Photographic - Good Again