2000 Guineas Stake Guide

Trainer - Martyn Meade

Jockey - Frankie Dettori

Leading two-year-old, running an absolute blinder in the Coventry to just be second best to Calyx (different groups).

Won a Group Two on the July Course over six in simple fashion, before taking the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over the same distance.

Both those wins have been under Frankie Dettori, who was in front of Advertise on Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst here, where the son of Shoowcasing did not run a bad race - finishing just two-and-half-lengths down on the standout figure in the division.

Stamina doubts on pedigree, but a big player if stepping up to the task.

T - Charlie Appleby

J - William Buick

Two out of two from last summer, and connections see his potential by paying the late supplementary fee to add him to the frame.

He struck here on debut on the July Course in scintillating fashion in a large-field maiden, before following up at Deauville in Listed company.

The three-year-old beat the likes of Duke Of Hazzard and Great Scot, which is not the strongest of form angles, but could be special representing a top global stable.

T - John Gosden

J - Robert Havlin

Strongly fancied to take the European Free Handicap here at the Craven meeting but looked awkward down the Rowley Mile and only manage to keep on into third.

His only victory in four starts came at Yarmouth in October which did come under this jockey.

If unable to land a blow to Shine So Bright without any offence to the Balding colt, then it is hard to see him playing a figure here with some of the best two-year-olds of last season coming to post.

Big improvement required.

T - Mark Johnston

J - Joe Fanning

Surely too early to forget his incredible surge to victory in a Group Two at Glorious Goodwood last season, where at the furlong pole he was in the last duo, only to rocket home under Silvestre de Sousa.

Joe Fanning gets the ride today on the three-year-old who failed to land a blow to Too Darn Hot in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in his later juvenile days when purchased by Godolphin.

He did make a decent comeback at Chelmsford in a useful Conditions contest where he was beaten under a length, so has began to get his career back on track from that one big disappointment.

T - Kevin Ryan

J - David Egan

Kevin Ryan is certainly a trainer to keep an eye on for the season ahead, and saddles Emaraaty Ana in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

Victory in a Novice event at Windsor on debut twelve months ago signified his potential, and went onto race three times in Class One level.

Subsequently, he was third in Listed company at Newbury before prevailing at York in a Group Two - beating Shine So Bright.

Work to do from his fifth here in the Middle Park Stakes over six, but a mile should suit.

T - Tom Dascombe

J - Richard Kingscote

Second on reappearance at Newbury in the Greenham behind Mohaather - one of a number ruled out of this contest through injury.

Does have work to do but has proved himself over a mile - particularly when striking at Haydock in the Listed Ascendant Stakes.

Clearly has the ability and knows what it is like to win; strong pace would certainly help him settle.

T - John Gosden

J - Oisin Murphy

Oisin Murphy rides another Gosden player Kick On in the colours of Qatar Racing, who has two-front running wins to his name from four starts.

Both victories came here including by a neck in a nine furlong Listed contest on good-to-firm on his return.

He is a course and distance winner from last September - beating Classic Trial winner Bangkok, so should be considered a serious candidate.

T - Richard Hannon

J - Sean Levey

Won a nice novice event at Nottingham over a mile on good to firm on his return, prevailing third time lucky.

Big step-up into this company and plenty of others would be put first on profiles.

Trainer and jockey combined at odds of 66/1 in a Classic last year, so do not be completely put off it again.

T - Kevin Prendergast

J - Chris Hayes

Madhmoon was just below what was required at Leopardstown in Listed company on return over seven, but the mile he will get here will be back up his street.

He did look very good over eight furlongs twice on sound surfaces as a two-year-old last term and represents a top player from Ireland away from Ballydoyle.

Big opportunities lie ahead, and is related to Awtaad - who won the Irish equivalent of this race in these colours back in 2016, beating the British successor Galileo Gold.

Stall one to use here.

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Donnacha O'Brien

Irish leading chance, winning the Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster last year - the same route Saxon Warrior went through to winning this last year.

Gave French star Persian King a fright over this course and distance back in October who is French Guineas bound instead.

Strong form, and despite Ryan Moore choosing his stablemate, Donnacha is a fine advisory and has experience of winning this race when taking it aboard the son of Deep Impact twelve months ago.

Wide draw.

T - Roger Charlton

J - Seamie Heffernan

At odds of 28/1, he took Craven winner Skardu all the way to the line to miss out by a neck over this course and distance two or three weeks ago on good-to-firm.

Didn't get the best possible runs, returning from his three-race juvenile season which merited a small smart success at Newbury in a Novice event.

Form to mount, but a repeat of his most recent performance with a clearer passage could mean he spells trouble for some.

T - James Tate

J - P J McDonald

Any horse arriving to a Classic defending an unbeaten record should be given respect even if it is just one run.

Name The Wind however is two-from-two after a duo of tight-successes on the all-weather at Kempton; most recently just over a week ago in Class Two company.

Has a bright future ahead of him surely, but this race is begging all the questions early on in his young career.

T - Saeed bin Suroor

J - Christophe Soumillon

Saeed bin Suroor has kept faith with the disappointing Craven favourite Royal Marine, who to be fair to the horse, did not get any chance when racing here practically through the far-rail.

Jockey Christophe Soumillon had no experience at the track in over five years, and when the horse got a clearer view he did begin to run on just too late.

Meydan trip failed in January (albeit on dirt), but is already a Group One winner at Longchamp back in October.

Should be fit and ready to launch a challenge.

T - Hugo Palmer

J - Jim Crowley

Still shaped with plenty of promise and looking a good prospect for the future when two lengths down on the winner in the Craven over this course and distance last month.

Two wins before and after Christmas finally got him on the track on the all-weather after developing late, and sports some familiar winning silks of this contest of old.

Trainer celebrated success in this three years ago and will be have a good player for another.

Now tongue-tied, Set Piece will look to convert from the penalty spot.

T - Andrew Balding

J - Silvestre De Sousa

Improved to dominate affairs in the seven-furlong European Free Handicap here on his reappearance, and the step-up to a mile should not prove to be a problem.

Took his time to reply from his winning debut at Nottingham, with a number of good-placed efforts at Goodwood, York and Newbury in Class One company.

Balding, De Sousa and the King Power colours absolutely flying at the minute, and really have their horses in fine order of late.

T - William Haggas

J - James Doyle

Two from two - both at this track over seven and eight furlongs, including latest win over a few of these in the field in the one-mile Craven not too long ago.

Has significant potential to go forward, and bred to want a mile no further.

Skipped clear before holding on gamely over Roger Charlton's Momkin, following on from his 33/1 debut success.

Definite contender.

T - Simon Crisford

J - Pat Cosgrave

Most experienced in the field with eleven starts to his name, but he is by no means the best here.

Won last time out at Meydan on the turf in Listed company, but form that does not contend with these in here.

Has been seen here once before a good way behind Advertise in the July Stakes over six, and hugely exposed more than most of these now a regular over a mile.

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Ryan Moore

Hat-trick of six furlong wins were capped off by a victory on this course in the six-furlong Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes.

Does have a stamina question in his career and from his pedigree, but carries leading form which might be the priority here.

Is the pick of Ryan Moore, who has won the 2000/1000 Guineas five times.

T - Richard Hannon

J - Tom Marquand

Urban Icon completes the field who finished three lengths down third of eight in the Greenham at Newbury - passed by Great Scot.

Has plenty to find, but could have needed that run to bounce back to his best which saw him prevail on his first two starts on a racetrack at Windsor and Salisbury early summer of last year.

Others possibly preferred on this occasion, but is a half-sister to an Italian Classic winner in Lundy's Lane.