2000 Guineas tips and runner-by-runner guide to Newmarket 3.35 on Saturday

Can City Of Troy live up to the hype?

City Of Troy

By / Horse Racing Tips / 6 months ago

City Of Troy is set to face 10 rivals in the first Classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas, at Newmarket on Saturday.

Ballydoyle master Aidan O’Brien hailed the Justify colt as the most exciting juvenile he has trained after an all-conquering two-year-old campaign that was capped off with a taking success in the Dewhurst Stakes – a key trial for this.

A potential crack at the Triple Crown has been mooted for City Of Troy by excited connections, but he will need to get the job done in the 2000 Guineas and his principal rival appears to be all speed in the form of Blue Point colt Rosallion.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby saddled the winner of the 2022 renewal but his sole runner, Notable Speech, has had an unusual prep being unbeaten in three starts on the all-weather track at Kempton.

Night Raider is also tackling turf for the first time, Royal Lodge scorer Ghostwriter is the fourth horse in the field yet to taste defeat, while Haatem also boasts C&D form thanks to last month’s Craven Stakes success.

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 verdict

Timeform: Aidan O’Brien has made little secret of the fact that he regards CITY OF TROY as the best 2-y-o he’s trained and this clear Timeform top rated can provide the master of Ballydoyle with a record-extending 11th win in the first Classic of the season. Rosallion was also highly promising at 2 and can give the selection most to do ahead of Godolphin’s Notable Speech, who didn’t make his debut until January but has quickly established himself as a top prospect with 3 AW wins at Kempton.

*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

2000 Guineas runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the 2000 Guineas 2024.

Alyanaabi

Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8

Won a Group 3 over 7f here (good to firm) in September. Underlined he’s a smart colt when 3½ lengths second of 8 to City of Troy in Dewhurst here in October. 1m should suit him but it’s hard to see him turning the tables on City of Troy.

***

City Of Troy

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2

Top-notch 2-y-o, making it 3-3 when impressively seeing of Alyanaabi by 3½ lengths in the Dewhurst here (7f, good to soft) in October. Has the potential to make an outstanding 3-y-o and can’t be opposed.

*****

Ghostwriter

Trainer: Clive Cox Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3

Invincible Spirit colt who won all 3 starts as a juvenile, notably the Group 2 Royal Lodge over C&D (good to firm) in the autumn. His physique suggests he’ll make an even better 3-y-o. Not to be underestimated.

****

Haatem

Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5

Group 2 winner at 2 but still showed big improvement when an easy 3½-length winner of the Craven over C&D on his reappearance. Even more will be needed to follow up here, though, and Levey prefers Rosallion.

***

Iberian

Trainer: Charles Hills Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs

Had Rosallion behind him when winning the Champagne at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) in September but disappointing when fading into a well-held sixth behind City of Troy in the Dewhurst final start. Will stay 1m.

***

Inisherin

Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Tom Eaves Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7

Out of a Group 1 winner and confirmed the promise of his C&D debut second in September when landing the odds in 1m Newcastle novice in March. Plenty to find on this steep rise in class but the stable did saddle a 125/1 second in this last year.

**

Night Raider

Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1

Both outings over 7f at Southwell. Impressive 9-length winner on debut in December and easily gave weight to a quite useful sort on his return to action in March. Has had an unusual Guineas prep but his leading trainer is making all the right noises.

***

Notable Speech

Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6

Unbeaten in 3 starts over 1m at Kempton, producing a sharp turn of foot from well off the pace in a conditions race last month. Turf and an undulating track are new experiences for him but he could be really smart.

***

Rosallion

Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4

Had several smart performers behind him when ready winner of 7f Ascot listed race last July and bounced back from a slightly underwhelming third to Iberian in Champagne at Doncaster when staying on strongly to lead close home in 7f Longchamp Group 1 on Arc day. Likely capable of even better.

****

Task Force

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9

Frankel colt who raced only over 6f at 2, winning a maiden/listed before 2¼ lengths second of 9 to Vandeek in Middle Park here (good to firm) on final start. His pedigree suggests this 2f longer trip will be within range. Has had wind surgery ahead of reappearance. The type to go on improving.

****

Ten Bob Tony

Trainer: Ed Walker Jockey: Saffie Osborne Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10

Stepped up on his useful juvenile form when making all in 7f course conditions race on his reappearance 18 days ago. 1m is going to suit him but he’ll need another big chunk of improvement to get heavily involved.

**

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