Newmarket Saturday Preview - 04/05/19

The first race of the day at Newmarket sees the Class 2 Handicap over 1 mile 1 furlong and we have gone for the Marcus Tregoning trained Power Of Darkness.

This four year gelding is very lightly raced for his age but has ran to a decent standard in the majority of his races having a record of 3112 in his last four contests.

This gelding has been stepped up to Class 2 company on his last few runs and has dealt with it really well, winning nicely at Salisbury over a mile and then finishing second at Newmarket last time out to give him leading claims.

The next race on the card brings the first Group race of the day with the Palace House Stakes over five furlongs and we have gone for the consistent El Astronaute.

This John Quinn trained runner is a very experienced six year old who relishes races like this with a big field and over this distance very rarely finishing outside of the top three.

He has already had his first run of the season when a good second at Musselburgh so he should be fresh coming into this contest and has a definite frame shout.

The credibly named Group 2 Roaring Lion Jockey Club Stakes over 1 mile 4 furlongs is up next and with a strong field of runners trying to win the first renewal of this renamed contest we have gone for Communique.

The Mark Johnston trained four year old had a really busy season last year but putting in some really smart performances gaining his last win at Newmarket over course and distance.

That came in a Listed event and although stepping up to Group 2 company he has already had a prep run that he should be sharper for and has every chance in this contest.

The feature race of the day and first Group 1 in Britain on the flat is the 2,000 Guineas over a mile and with 19 runners we have a win and each way selection for this contest.

We fancy the Aidan O'Brien trained Ten Sovereigns to land the contest and the current favourite has a great chance having Group1 winning form at the back end of last season.

O'Brien has a few in the contest and his number one rider Ryan Moore has chose this horse which tells you a lot. He is stepping up in trip but has a great chance on Saturday.

Our outsider to follow is the John Godsen trained Kick On. This course and distance winner made a great start to the season when staying on nicely to land the Listed Feilden Stakes and that is a nice prep run leading into this Group 1 contest.

The Class 2 Havana Gold Handicap over six furlongs comes next and we have sided with the Richard Hannon trained Beat Le Bon to land the spoils.

This three year old has been frustrating to back as a punter having so much potential and being in the frame but not winning that many races.

Saying that, he has put in some really smart performances and if this season being able to get his head in front more will be a serious player for the Hannon yard.

The penultimate race of the first day of the Guineas meeting is the Listed Lightning Spear Newmarket Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs and we have gone for UAE Jewel.

Trainer Roger Varian is having a great start to the season and can extend that in this four runner field with his dangerous three year old.

This colt has only raced once making his debut at Newmarket last month and he bolted up by five lengths in the Class 3 Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes to suggest there is plenty more to come.

Holds a strong chance but in much tougher company.

The final race of the day is the Class 2 Qatar Racing Welfare Handicap over a mile and the Hugo Palmer trained Blonde Warrior is our selection.

This three year old looks to be a classy type that if coming through this with a solid run could progress into better races in the future.

He has raced twice in Class 2 company this season finishing a good second at Chelmsford on his seasonal debut and then running to a poor standard at Newbury which can be excused if getting back on track here.