Pinatubo, the big favourite for the 2000 Guineas, has wintered well and is looking in good shape ahead of the proposed return of racing in the United Kingdom on Monday, star jockey William Buick has revealed.
Buick is set to ride Paddy Power’s 10/11 2000 Guineas favourite at Newmarket on Saturday June 6.
And, speaking to Tom, Paddy and Ruby on Paddy Power’s From the Horse’s Mouth Podcast last Friday, the 31-year-old warned the rest of the field that Pinatubo is in the best shape he could be, considering the constraints and lack of competitive racing on offer so far in the Flat season.
“He was foot perfect last year and you know it’s all been said about him before,” Buick explained, “he had a long season last year but he performed [on] every run. Obviously, he’s wintered well, he looks fantastic and he’s a horse that we’re all very much looking forward to.
“He is [straightforward] and he’s very versatile with it as well. He obviously ran at Epsom, Goodwood, The Curragh, ran in Newmarket back-end on soft ground and his temperament as well – it’s a huge help and he’s always took everything in his stride which as we all know from a jockey’s point of view is a dream.”
With a maximum of five days of racing ahead of the 2000 Guineas, preparation time is limited and Buick explained how Pinatubo’s trainer Charlie Appleby has been happy with his progression and didn’t feel the need for a competitive run out before next weekend.
“To be honest I don’t think Charlie ever thought about giving a prep run,” he continued, “Whatever was going to happen – obviously no-one could foresee this happening half-way through the winter I suppose. But I don’t think this was ever on the radar, but obviously that would have been Charlie’s call. It’s kind of irrelevant now.
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“Everyone is going to turn up at Newmarket without a prep run so you know, Pinatubo himself has had a little racecourse gallop and his work’s been good so he’s prepping very well.”
Pinatubo is the 10/11 favourite to win the 2000 Guineas with Paddy Power.
*All odds accurate at time of publication*
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