Jason Weaver: You’d be Mad’ to miss out on this Irish raider in Saturday’s Classic

Former top jock & now star pundit won the 2,000 Guineas on Mr Baileys back in the day and Madhmoon in this year's race (3.35pm)...

Jason Weaver Flat Racing

1:50 Newmarket Ibraz @12/1 

Looked very progressive last term when winning comfortably at Nottingham and Sandown. He disappointed slightly on his last start at headquarters but reportedly ran flat. Much more was expected on his return when well punted for the Spring Mile at Newbury. Roger Varian’s colt looked big and burly in the paddock and is bound to improve.

I’m taking him to bounce back at inflated odds.

2:05 Goodwood Enbihaar 

Comes out second-best on official ratings, but he’s not far behind the likely red-hot favourite from the William Haggas stable, Klassique. She bumped into some decent types at this level on her last outing at Ascot acquitting herself well against some very tidy stayers. Dropping slightly in trip should not be a problem. She can be ridden aggressively with stamina assured over this extended 1m 3f trip.

2:20 Newmarket Judicial @ 15/2

A regular in all the top sprints for the last few seasons and has a pretty good record fresh, notably when finishing second to  Mabs Cross in this race last year. Sergei Prokofiev will set out to dominate the sprinting division this season, but is likely to be a short price and needs everything to fall right for him. Julie Camacho’s runner is uncomplicated and can nab the each-way money or better.

Madhmoon-Lep

2:40 Goodwood Qaroun @ 3/1 

Looks good to notch his first victory of 2019 for Sir Michael Stoute’s red-hot stable who are operating at a 26 per cent strike rate. He comes here off a decent return at Chelmsford when only just failing by a neck, looking like he would step forward from the outing. Not given an unduly hard time, this 220,000 guineas purchase can start to pay back a little of that purchase price this afternoon.

2:55 Newmarket Coronet @ 15/8

Not only does this lady go particularly well fresh, she has form up at the highest level with some top notch performers. A reproduction of any of her runs behind Magical, Sea of Class or Waldgeist would surely be good enough for the John Goden and Frankie Dettori team here.

Defoe and Young Rascal didn’t cover themselves in glory on return at Newbury, so this looks a straightforward opportunity for the favourite.

3:35 Newmarket Madhmoon @ 7/1

I keep looking back at his two victories last year at home in Ireland and they were nothing short of spectacular. At Leopardstown he went from the back of the field all the way around the outside and still looked the winner but got nailed by a runner who got the absolute dream run round on the fence – and had had a run. Look back at the stats and tell me how many winners can come round the outside of a class field and win at Leopardstown?

I’m keeping the faith with the legend Kevin Prendergast who is still pointing his arrow at Newmarket.

*Prices correct at time of publication but the markets are fluid 

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