The 2000 Guineas is one of the most historic races of the year, and one of the most prestigious prizes in the flat season. This season it remains a very intriguing contest with big chances from various yards.
For me it is difficult to look past Aidan O’Brien’s Saxon Warrior, currently a 5/1 chance for the big race. He is three from three, having won Doncaster’s Group One Racing Post Trophy on his last outing, and he remains a horse with incredible potential this year.
I imagine his win at Doncaster will work out as strong form as the year progresses. Roaring Lion, who was unlucky not to win, runs again here and could go well but it’s the horses that were well behind that day that highlights what a good race it was.
The Guineas is fascinating because when horses go from two to three, a lot can change with them and for some horses you just don’t get the chance to see them on the racecourse before the big race. Ballydoyle is a difficult place to hear whispers, but Saxon Warrior is one the team like an awful lot and are expecting to go well here.
The biggest worry for me is his trip. He could be a Guineas horse, he could be a Derby horse. It will take a strong miler at the top of their game to win this race, by sure Saxon Warrior is classy but it may be that he runs into a place like Camelot before the team realise he is a ‘proper’ Derby horse.
Elarqam is a second choice for me, he seems like a hugely classy miler from an excellent family and he could well be a star in the making. He is two from two, although he hasn’t really been tested, and it really would be outstanding to see a first Frankel-sired classic winner in the same place he made his name.
Expert Eye looks a solid each-way bet in this race for Sir Michael Stoute. He was a massively impressive winner at Glorious Goodwood last year, but he just hasn’t managed to replicate that star quality this season. He should come on for that run a fair bit, and if he is back to his best then he looks to have a huge chance.
