Hi all,
Inside Monday’s bumper main piece, I’m looking back at the first classic’s of the UK flat season. Plus, there's a few stat pointers for Monday's action at Beverley and Kempton.
Buick Calls It Right in the 2,000 Guineas
William Buick wore a broad smile after the 2,000 Guineas—and you could see why. He’d picked the right horse in Saturday’s first colts’ Classic, opting for Ruling Court over top juvenile Shadow Of Light. It proved a winning call.
A furlong and a half out, Shadow Of Light hit the front on the far side. Ruling Court came to challenge and the pair battled it out before the winner asserted in the final 100 yards. Shadow Of Light was just outstayed and lost second close home to the fast-finishing favourite Field Of Gold.
Field Of Gold Left with Too Much to Do
In truth, Field Of Gold can count himself unlucky. He travelled strongly throughout but Ruling Court got first run. Buick kicked for home as they entered the dip, opening up a couple of lengths—that was the race-winning move.
Given the tailwind and a steady early gallop, Kieran Shoemark should have had the favourite a bit closer to the pace. He didn’t hit top gear until the rising ground, and by then the damage was done. It wasn’t the most tactical of rides—you can’t give a horse of Ruling Court’s quality a head start and expect to claw it back. Fair play to the jockey he admits he was at fault on the horse. It was a brave statement to make and I for one hope he keeps the ride and can make amends next time.
Having re-watched the race Field Of Gold’s ears looked to be pinned back and his head his higher than the winner. Maybe the ground was a bit too quick or he’s still a bit green. I suspect more the former than the latter.
Derby on the Agenda for Winner
Ruling Court is bred to improve over further. He shapes like a 1m 2f horse and there’s every chance he’ll stay 1m 4f. As mentioned in Saturday’s column, connections have always seen him as a Derby horse—and he is.
Field Of Gold lost little in defeat. He’s a smart colt and should stay 1m 2f. The Irish 2,000 Guineas looks the logical next stop.
Shadow Of Light ran a fine race. He laid it down to the winner at the furlong pole but was edged out by two stronger stayers late on. It was a good effort and I hope they keep the colt at mile for now rather than drop him back to 6f.
Tornado Alert was better positioned than most in the conditions and still outran big odds. He’s a likeable type and one to watch when stepping up to 1m 2f.
As for my ante post selection Green Impact, he finished sixth, not handling the dip and eased once his chance had gone. He’s stronger this year and not one to give up on just yet especially given the stable’s current cold spell. But trainer form matters—and you ignore it at your peril.
2,000 Guineas Summary
Ruling Court gave William Buick a Classic success with a well-timed ride in a steadily run renewal. Buick made a decisive move entering the dip, grabbing first run on Field Of Gold, who stayed on strongly but was left with too much to do. Shadow Of Light briefly hit the front and battled hard but was just outstayed, losing second late on. The slow early pace and tailwind made positioning key, and Field Of Gold was arguably an unlucky loser. Both he and the winner look likely to be suited by 1m 2f and beyond. Tornado Alert ran well in fourth and remains a colt with promise.
Rumstar Strikes in Palace House
Earlier on the card, Rumstar made a winning seasonal return in the Group 2 Palace House Stakes (5f). The race rather fell apart with several market leaders disappointing, but the winner took full advantage. Now five, Rumstar looks a sprinter firmly on the up. He’ll be a major contender in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot—especially given his C&D win last autumn. He’s at his best on a sound surface and seemingly bounced off Saturday’s quick ground.
Desert Flower Digs Deep for 1,000 Guineas Victory
Onto Sunday and the first fillies’ Classic—the Betfred 1,000 Guineas. On paper, it looked between the smart Group 1-winning juveniles Desert Flower and Lake Victoria. The former had enjoyed a smooth prep, while the latter was only confirmed a definite runner earlier in the week.
The market focused on the big two, with Desert Flower proving strongest. William Buick, who had steered her to victory in the Fillies' Mile over course and distance last autumn, sent her into the lead. At the furlong marker, several looked poised to challenge. But under pressure, Desert Flower kept finding more. She stuck her neck out and won by a length from Flight. It was a no-nonsense ride on a guaranteed stayer by a jockey riding at the peak of his powers.
Less than three lengths separated the first seven home, which suggests this wasn’t a vintage renewal. Even so, the winner’s determination was admirable. She was simply too classy.
On breeding, Desert Flower may not be a certain stayer beyond 1m 2f, but you’d still expect connections to let her take her chance in the Oaks.
Sangster pair shine behind the winner
Besides Godolphin, Charlie Appleby, and William Buick, the race was also a big success for Ollie Sangster, who trained both the runner-up and third. For a few strides, Flight looked like she might get there, but she couldn’t reel in the winner. Simmering bounced back from a poor Fred Darling run and showed her juvenile form again. Both fillies hold entries for the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
As for Lake Victoria, her interrupted prep caught up with her late. She moved into contention a furlong out but faded to finish sixth. She’ll come on plenty for the run. At this stage, Aidan O’Brien’s Classic runners look short of peak fitness.
The once-raced fillies Elwateen and Chantilly Lace both ran crackers in fourth and fifth. Elwateen doesn’t hold an Irish Guineas entry and could now head to Royal Ascot for the Coronation Stakes. She’s bred to stay 1m 2f, so a step up in trip is likely later this season.
Chantilly Lace also lacks an Irish entry but holds one for the Coronation. By Lope De Vega, she may prefer softer ground—and could prove Group 1 calibre when she gets it.
As for my pick Red Letter, it looked before the race that she had done well over the winter. However, trainer Ger Lyons' poor record in UK Group 1s continues, and she could only manage seventh. I’d expect better from her in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Impressive Fred Darling winner Duty First was very weak in the betting and only beat one home. I didn’t think she would stay a mile, but she was a beaten horse before stamina became an issue.
A Classic Weekend for Godolphin
Desert Flower delivered a gutsy performance to win the Betfred 1,000 Guineas, making all under a confident William Buick and fending off late challenges from Flight and Simmering. It capped a brilliant weekend for Godolphin, who completed the 1,000/2,000 Guineas double at Newmarket.
Their dominance didn’t stop there. The ‘boys in blue’ also struck across the Atlantic, landing both the Kentucky Oaks and the iconic Kentucky Derby. It’s hard to recall a more successful weekend for the global racing powerhouse.
Falakeyah Impresses in Pretty Polly
Falakeyah made all for a smooth success in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes (1m 2f), confirming my confidence ahead of the race. Jim Crowley allowed her to bowl along after racing keenly early, and the big, scopey filly galloped clear of her rivals in the closing stages.
She’s clearly trained on well and she’ll have plenty of options at 1m 2f going forward. Indeed given the pace she showed her you could probably drop her back to a mile. I think she would have gone close the 1000 Guineas.
While the Oaks will be discussed, her size and racing style may make the shorter Prix Diane (French Oaks) a better fit.
Trainer Owen Burrows deserves credit too — he’s striking at 46% in the past two months and remains a superb judge of where to place his horses.
Monday’s Racing – Bank Holiday Action
It’s a Bank Holiday today which means seven meetings across Britain and Ireland. The best of the action comes from the Curragh.
Curragh – Group 2 Feature
There’s good prize money on offer at the Curragh, with the feature contest being the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes (4:10), where we get a fascinating clash between White Birch and Los Angeles.
White Birch hasn’t been seen since winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup over C&D 344 days ago. That same race is once again his early season target, but he won first time up last year so shouldn’t lack for fitness. A bit of rain wouldn’t go amiss, but I think he can make a winning return to action over a C&D that really suits.
Los Angeles, winner of last year’s Irish Derby and third in the Arc, also makes his seasonal return. He can certainly win if ready, but plenty of the Aidan O’Brien horses have needed their first run this spring, and there will be bigger targets ahead.
Beverley – Stat Pointers
The racing this side of the Irish Sea is low-grade fare, but here are a few stat-based pointers for Beverley:
3:30 – Last Shamardal
A dual winner on the Tapeta who failed by a short head to land the hat-trick at Ripon (turf debut) 18 days ago.
Trainer Jack Channon is 3-12 (+7) in the past 14 days.
Callum Rodriguez, who rides, is 9-35 (26%) in the same period.
Jockey/trainer combo: 3-11 in the past five years.
4:40 – Emeralds Pride
Won a division of this 5f handicap on seasonal return last year.
3 wins from 7 over C&D.
Dual winner on quick ground.
The only concern is being drawn widest of all in stall 14.
Rock Of England (Paul Midgley) is also of interest in the same race:
Yard has won this race three times since 2018.
He’s well drawn in stall 3 and has run well over C&D in the past.
Kempton – Two Standouts
3:10 – So Sassy
From the James Fanshawe yard (3-12 in the past 14 days).
17 winners from 80 (21%) +£17.51 with 3yo handicappers here in the last five years.
Sent off 10/11 favourite on handicap debut 42 days ago — market confidence suggests she's well treated.
3:45 – Dancingwithmyself
Michael Bell is flying:
7 winners from 21 runners in the past two weeks (+£17.83).
7 from 26 (+£32.50) with his 4yo+ runners at Kempton.
This filly posted a career-best RPR when second at Ripon 9 days ago. A winner on polytrack at Chelmsford, she drops a couple of notches in class here and the return to synthetics won’t be an issue.
Monday Selection
For Monday's selection it’s a close run thing between Last Shamardal, So Sassy and Dancingwithmyself, and I’ve gone with the latter:
Kempton – 3:45 – Dancingwithmyself – 4/1
Good luck with your Bank Holiday Monday bets.
John