[Gingertipster]

2000 Guineas
Write ups followed by my price to beat on good ground.


Alfathaa Saw him win his maiden at Newbury, nice type, should make a better three year old. Backed it for the Royal Lodge, only 5^th just 1 ½ lengths behind City Leader. Was going to run in a trial but pulled out (I believe due to a slight setback. 1.75% 60/1

Bahamian Kid Should not be allowed to race. 16 lengths behind the winner in a Doncaster 7f soft ground maiden on debut. Next to no chance, won't take any price.

Dream Eater 3 ½ lengths 6^th to Dark Angel in the Middle Park. Does not look good enough. Bred to just about stay the trip but races as though won't. Sometimes takes a pull and seemed barely to get 7f as a juvenile. Yet to race on a soft surface. 0.5% 200/1

Fireside Has been backed in recent weeks. Trainer is usually good at identifying potential in his string. Form as yet does not add up to much. 6^th of 19 on debut in a hot Irish Sales race, before winning his maiden at Newmarket. By a miler (Dr Fong) out of a mare by another (Zafonic) so should stay. Both of those (I believe) were better on a sound surface, raced so far on good-firm. Evidently well thought of. 2.5% 40/1

Henrythenavigator Very well bred, won the Coventry coming from the back of the field on a firm surface. Then ran poorly on very soft going in the Phoenix Stakes, before running well enough to be 3^rd to New Approach and Curtain Call (some give underfoot). So has some good form but does look just short of top class. Difficult to see why he should reverse places with the favourite. Only the price he is due to who trains him (poor value) and might not want too much more rain. 5.75% 16/1

Ibn Khaldun Improvement came last year on good or softer although does have a decent action. Won a modest Racing Post after progressing quickly through the ranks. If improvement has been maintained will go close here, especially if the ground is on the soft side. Is rated by connections a better horse now than stable companions Fast Company and Rio De La Plata who were not beaten far by New Approach last year. 22.2% 7/2

Moynahan Impressed me in the paddock at Goodwood on debut, too green to win. Then won what is usually one of the best maidens around (the Moorestyle) at York. From a good mile family and by Johannesburg, should stay the trip. Has potential to improve (needs to) and is proffered to stable companions River Proud and Luck Money.2.5% 40/1

New Approach Has done nothing wrong in his races but has shown bits of temperament off it. Has a pony companion in the paddock and to post, once had to be backed (a la George Washington style) / refused to go under archways, has two handlers in the paddock. Said not to be going for the Derby, which may be because connections are worried about the prelims there. If so Newmarket could also be a concern. If backing him I suggest waiting as late as possible. Still unbeaten in five starts at two. Won the Dewhurst with the best 2 year olds (including Raven's Pass) behind. Impeccably bred. Front runner before tracked the pace on his final start. Winner on a firm and a soft surface. 28% 5/2

Perfect Stride Was going to run in a trial before taken out due to the ground being too soft, raced only on a sound surface to date. Not certain to stay on breeding, by Oasis Dream. Dam mile winner but related to mainly 7f horses. Won maiden then looked as if he would keep his unbeaten record but got collared by a late closer, in a Leicester minor event. Potential to improve and from an excellent stable but because of that is at a shorter price than form merits. 2.5% 40/1

Plan Exceptionally well bred, will stay, by Storm Cat out of a Breeders Cup winner. Impressive winner of his second of two starts in an ordinary maiden by 5 ½ lengths. Raced only on good. Needs to improve considerably but does have potential. O'Brien 2^nd string. 1% 100/1

Raven's Pass Said to be a doubtful stayer but only just lost out (by short head) to a “stayer” Twice Over on good going in the Craven, not under maximum pressure. Did travel well there as he did in the Dewhurst before finding little on what was thought unsuitable going (good-soft). Impressive winner of the Solario, by 7 lengths easing down to subsequent Royal Lodge winner / Racing Post 2^nd City Leader (on good-firm). Would not want much more rain and is probably best on a sound surface. Was last to post in the Craven, wore crossed nose band (trainers runners often do) and blanketed for stall entry. So may have a bit of temperament about him. If not on already, may be best to wait until the going is known. 23.2% 100/30

Scintillo Is a Group 1 winner (in Italy) but was well behind Raven's Pass in the Craven (9^th of 10) Stays a mile well and will be suited by as much rain as possible (test of stamina at the trip). Acts on a firm and a soft surface. Seems fully exposed. 0.25% 400/1

Stimulation will be much better suited by the mile here than a slowly run 7f of his reappearance (despite being by Choisir). Did well to get up on the line there to beat the well ridden Fat Boy. Would have won the Horris Hill with a clear run on his last two year old start. One of the best looking two year olds I saw and can improve again from his (still) under rated trainer. No going worries and should be in front of Henrythenavigator in the betting. 7.5% 13/1

Strike The Deal I saw win the Richmond from Fat Boy, not much of him and possibly the type to be best at two. Also 4^th in the Breeders Cup Juvenile (1m) and 5^th UAE Derby, weakening (1m1f). Despite those runs gives the impression does not quite truly stay a mile. Proven on a firm and soft surface though the latter would put more emphasis on stamina. 2.25% 40/1

Stubbs Art Is a horse I like, as a handicapper. Progressive last year and is the sort to do better at three (substantial colt). Once again pulled too hard on reappearance, 5^th in the Esher Cup. Stays 1m2f and not beholden to the ground conditions. If he settles could improve but needs to significantly. Runs well at Newmarket. 0.1% 1000/1