1. AL SUHAIL (Charlie Appleby)
The Charlie Appleby trained second-string behind hot-favourite Pinatubo with James Doyle in the saddle. The son of Dubawi finished behind Kameko in the Solario Stakes at Sandown last August, before racing second behind another Guineas rival, Military March at Newmarket last October. He could develop into a middle-distance type letter in the second but needs improve rapidly to challenge at the business end against these contenders.
2. ARIZONA (Aidan O’Brien)
The talking horse in recent months and if reports are correct an animal with more speed than a Balldoyle drone. The winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot but needs to reverse the form with Pinatubo following defeats at the Curragh and Newmarket. He showed an excellent turn of foot from off the pace to finish fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last November over one-mile – his trainer has won the last three renewals and 10 times in total.
3. CEPHEUS (Brian Meehan)
One start and one victory from the Brian Meehan-trained runner who was a surprise winner on debut under Oisin Murphy at Newmarket last July. Several runners from that maiden have managed victories since, but the form looks average at best. Meehan trained the dam, Crimson Cheer and this son of Sea The Stars could develop into a nice high-class middle-distance handicapper or win at listed level later this season.
4. JUAN ELCANO (Kevin Ryan)
The son of Frankel caught the eye with an impressive turn of foot to win on debut at Haydock last July for trainer Kevin Ryan. Further respectable runs when second in the Superlative Stakes and third in the Champagne Stakes make him an interesting contender. He is another horse who needs to improve to challenge the principal runners, but a top five finish would not be a surprise and he is a horse to follow for later in the season.
5. KAMEKO (Andrew Bailding)
He managed two victories from four starts last season for trainer Andrew Bailding, with Group 1 success in the rearranged Futurity Stakes at Newcastle last November. Has improved during the winter months according to connections with the trip and ground conditions looking ideal. Has the size, scope, and stamina to run a good race and is a serious contender to trouble the favourite.
6. KENZAI WARRIOR (Roger Teal)
Roger Teal is no stranger in shooting for the stars in the Guineas following Tip Two Win’s second place finish to Saxon Warrior two-years-ago. The unbeaten son of Karakontie won his maiden at Salisbury last September before victory in the Group 3 Horris Hil at Newmarket last November. In a race where every horse is making their seasonable debuts, he might surprise a few punters and run a solid race for connections.
7. KINROSS (Ralph Beckett)
Secured an end of season maiden in impressive fashion at Newmarket last October when winning by eight-lengths under Harry Bentley. Disappointed when sent off favourite behind Kameko in the Futurity at Newcastle when only fifth on that occasion. The son of Kingman lacks the experience of his main rivals and looks under-priced in the betting to seriously challenge Pinatubo – place chance at best.
8. MILITARY MARCH (Saeed bin Suroor)
Hoping to go one place better than his sire, New Approach who finished second in this classic in 2008 for trainer Jim Bolger. Saeed Bin Suroor has won the Guineas twice with Mark Of Esteem and Island Sands and his unbeaten runner could be a dark horse to challenge the more fancied horses.
He secured his maiden on the July course before returning to HQ and the Rowley mile to win the Autumn Stakes last October – he showed a battling quality that day and he could cause a surprise.
9. MUMS TIPPLE (Richard Hannon)
One of the talking horses of last season following a sensational victory in the Goffs UK Yearling Stakes at York last August. He secured an 11 length on that occasion following his debut win at Ascot last July. Some alleged big price offers where made to purchase the horse before his disappointing run behind Earthlight in the Middle Park in September. The Hannon stable have previously done well in the Guineas – King Of Change was second last year at 66/1.
10. NEW WORLD TAPESTRY (Aidan O’Brien)
One of two Ballydoyle pacesetters making up the numbers behind principal runners, Arizona and Wachita. The son of War Front has plenty to find on form having finished behind Arizona on debut, before winning his maiden at Newmarket last September. Disappointing run in the Futurity Stakes at Newcastle and his racing style as a two-year-old suggest he will be one runner making the pace.
11. PERSUASION (Charlie Hills)
A lightly-raced son of Acclamation, the Charlie Hills trained runner landed his maiden at Goodwood on debut last August having previously been trained by Jeremy Noseda. He disappointed in the Acomb Stakes when sent off favourite for the race at York in August before finishing his two-year-old campaign behind Wichita at Newmarket – a top seven finish would surely please connections.
12. PINATUBO – (Charlie Appleby)
The unbeaten son of Shamardal secured six victories from six starts last year and became the highest rated juvenile since Celtic Swing in 1994. The Charlie Appleby trained runner saw off the best of the Ballydoyle two-year-olds in 2019 with a stunning victory in the National Stakes and an end of season success in the Dewhurst on soft ground. Reported to be in good condition by his handler and steps up to a mile for the first time – the horse they all must beat.
13. ROYAL DORNOCH (Aidan O’Brien)
The second of the Aidan O’Brien outsiders who raced seven times as a two-year-old last season, landing the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes on his final start. In and out of form throughout the 2019 campaign having finished second-last in the Prix Mory last August. The son of Gleneagles finally claimed a maiden at Gowran Park last September before finishing behind Threat at Doncaster and winning at HQ. Which Royal Dornoch will turn up on Saturday?
14. STARCAT (Hughie Morrison)
Hughie Morrison is shooting for the stars with the once raced son of Lope De Vega with P J McDonald booked to ride. His only start came at Kempton last December when securing victory on debut over one mile. His trainer could do with a change of luck after several strange events in recent seasons, but he clearly looks out of his depth in this Guineas.
15. WICHITA (Aidan O’Brien)
The second son of No Nay Never to pursue a challenge from the Aidan O’Brien stable with Frankie Detori set to ride. He finished behind Pinatubo and stable-mate Arizona in the Dewhurst at Newmarket last September but looks another solid each-way contender. He was impressive when winning the Tattersalls Stakes here on the Rowley Mile last September by seven-lengths and looks one not to rule out.
VERDICT:
In conclusion, the vibe around Moulton Paddocks and from the rest of Newmarket suggests PINATUBO is ready and will win this first Classic of the season. It is extremely hard to side against the Godolphin hotpot with main rivals Arizona, Wachita and Kameko needing improvement on ratings to mount a serious challenge.
*Prices correct at publishing but are subject to change but our snazzy new bet widget reflect the real time odds on PP.com.
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