*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Ballydoyle big beasts Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear are the headline acts in this year’s renewal of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Aidan O’Brien is seeking a record-extending 11th success in the first Classic of the British Flat season and his star pair, who signed off their juvenile campaigns with victories in the Futurity Trophy and Phoenix Stakes respectively, face 12 rivals.
Dewhurst Stakes scorer Chaldean leads the home charge, with Frankie Dettori booked to ride in his final season in the saddle, while Royal Scotsman and Sakheer are also among the leading fancies in Saturday’s 16:40.
The latest 2000 Guineas odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
2000 Guineas tips
Timeform: AUGUSTE RODIN did everything right at 2 and can become the fourth horse (and third from his yard) since 2018 to complete the Futurity/2000 Guineas double. His stablemate Little Big Bear is bred to stay 1m and would be a major threat if reproducing anything close to his Phoenix Stakes form. Chaldean suffered an unfortunate experience on his reappearance but his juvenile form stacks up well and he can prove best of the home team ahead of Sakheer, who is already smart but isn’t certain to stay 1m.
2000 Guineas runners
Auguste Rodin
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 12
Unlucky on debut and made no mistake in 3 subsequent outings, running out the comfortable winner of Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy) in October. Saxon Warrior and Magna Grecia have completed the Futurity/2000 Guineas for the stable in recent years. Moore on him rather than Little Big Bear.
*****
Chaldean
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Frankel colt who progressed at a rate of knots last season, completing the 4-timer when edging out Royal Scotsman in Group1 Dewhurst here (7f) in October. 5/2, unseated rider at the start on his reappearance in the Greenham. Should stay 1m. Strong candidate.
****
Charyn
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 14
Third to stablemate Sakheer in Mill Reef before ending his 2-y-o season with a 6f Group 2 win at Chantilly. Creditable 3 lengths second of 11 to Isaac Shelby in Greenham at Newbury (7f, heavy) on reappearance 14 days ago, keeping on in a manner which suggests 1m will suit him.
***
Dubai Mile
Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Daniel Muscutt Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Did nothing but progress last year, second in Royal Lodge over C&D before producing a tremendously game performance to win 1¼m Criterium de Saint-Cloud (heavy) on final start. Another chunk of improvement needed here, though.
**
Flight Plan
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Night of Thunder colt who left debut run well behind to win 10-runner novice at Newcastle in November. Stepped up again when head second in 1m listed race there on Good Friday reappearance. More to come from him.
***
Galeron
Trainer: Charles Hills Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 14
Useful colt who showed he’s trained on well when third (Flight Plan 2¼ lengths ahead in second) of 11 in 1m Newcastle listed race on reappearance but surely biting off more than he can chew at ths level.
*
Hi Royal
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Won a 1m Ayr novice at 2. Improved again when fourth in 7f course conditions race on reappearance, his late headway suggesting this return to 1m will suit. Capable of better but huge improvement needed to play a prominent role.
**
Holloway Boy
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Christophe Soumillon Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Made winning debut in Chesham at Royal Ascot and backed that up in Group company subsequently. Beaten 5¼ lengths into third by Auguste Rodin in Futurity at Doncaster on final start but that doesn’t tell whole story as he hung right across the track after tanking into the lead in a first-time visor.
***
Indestructible
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Kevin Stott Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9
Chased home Chaldean in Acomb at York and Champagne at Doncaster for Michael O’Callaghan at 2. Took his form up another notch when making a successful reappearance for new trainer Karl Burke in Craven over C&D last month. More required to go close here.
***
Little Big Bear
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Wayne Lordan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 13
Produced an outstanding juvenile performance when a devastating 7-length winner of Group 1 Phoenix at the Curragh (6f, good) last August. Missed the rest of the season due to a foot injury. Pedigree provides plenty of hope that he’ll stay 1m. Deserted by Moore but still much respected.
****
Noble Style
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Unbeaten in 3 outings as a juvenile, culminating with 1¼-length defeat of Marshman in Gimcrack at York (6f, good to firm) in August. Missed the remainder of his 2-y-o campaign due to a bout of colic. Very talented but stamina the big unknown now stepping up 2f in trip.
***
Royal Scotsman
Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Gleneagles colt whose only blip at 2 came when disappointing behind Noble Style in the Gimcrack, bouncing back with head second to Chaldean in the Dewhurst here in the autumn, looking well suited by the step up 7f. Should prove as effective at 1m.
***
Sakheer
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: David Egan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10
Came a long way in a short space of time at 2, quickening clear in impressive fashion in Mill Reef at Newbury (6f, good; reopposing stablemate Charyn back in third) on final start. Looks a Group 1 performer but the big question is whether he’ll stay 1m.
****
Silver Knott
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Below form when behind Chaldean and Indestructible in the Champagne but quickly back on track with defeat of Epictetus and Holloway Boy in the Autumn Stakes over C&D. Close second in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf final start. Buick seemingly prefers him to Noble Style.
***
Read More on the 2000 Guineas
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- 2000 Guineas trends and stats for Newmarket 4.40 on Saturday
- When is the 2000 Guineas? Newmarket date, start time, runners and betting
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