Ruling Court held off big-race favourite Field Of Gold to give Charlie Appleby his third 2,000 Guineas win in four years Ruling Court has a very realistic chance of getting the mile-and-a-half at Epsom next month and as the cycle of Epsom trials runs its traditional course through Chester Leopardstown and York over the next fortnight Ruling Court has put down the benchmark performance for the premier Classic that a series of Epsom hopefuls will be looking to beat The racing family will reconvene here again tomorrow for the 1,000 Guineas this is Greg Wood signing off from the Rowley Mile ShowHamilton: 1.25 Hurt You Never 1.55 Ay Gee Ell 2.35 Faylaq 3.05 Sallaal 3.45 Starliner 4.18 Mister Sky Blue 4.53 Spanish Hustle Salisbury: 1.30 Waistcoat 2.00 Anthelia 2.30 Liosa 3.10 El Matador 3.50 Just An Hour 4.25 Gold Cup Day 5.00 Wannabeawallaby Newmarket: 1.45 Janey Mackers 2.20 Cinderella’s Dream 2.55 Story Horse (nap) 3.35 Desert Flower (nb) 4.10 Twilight Star 4.45 Moonfall 5.20 Watching Stars I think William just had that length-and-a-half on us and it’s made the difference at the end, but that’s racing for you. He’s run a great race, he just ran out of race-track. 3d ago17.04 CESTHere’s ITV’s tweet with the closing stages of the 2,000 Guineas: 🏆RULING COURT WINS THE BETFRED 2000 GUINEAS!🏆Back to back Guineas for William Buick!#ITVRacing | @NewmarketRace | @WilliamBuickX | @godolphin pic.twitter.com/5upxOt5GPv 3d ago17.03 CESTThat was an almost Mullins-esque performance by the Godolphin horses in the 2,000 Guineas as the royal blue colours were also aboard Saeed bin Suroor’s Tornado Alert in fourth There was more Rowley Mile disappointment for John Gosden as Field Of Gold came up a half-length short He was going as well as the winner two out but didn’t quite have the extra class to get the win Scorthy Champ was just ahead of him in seventh and Seagulls Eleven faded from his early prominent position to be last across the line Charlie Appleby was just discussing his chance of running at Epsom in the winner’s enclosure. He’s the only horse we’ve got entered in the Derby. We’ll let the dust settle and form a plan on if we stick to that route, which I’m confident we will do 3d ago16.45 CESTWilliam Buick was unusually animated after crossing the line, perhaps with the extra fillip of having made the right choice from Charlie Appleby’s two main hopes. He’s talking to Oli Bell on the way back. This feels special, he was so smooth throughout the race and I let him to find his feet in the dip. When he got organised, his stamina shone through and he’s a very special horse. 3d ago16.39 CEST2,000 GUINEAS RESULT: Ruling Court … rules1 Ruling Court coing near side, Field Of Gold tracks him through, … Godolphin are one and two … Ruling Court gets the better of Shadow Of Light and Charlie Appleby has won another 2,000 Guineas! 3d ago16.36 CESTOff and running in the 2,000 Guineas! 3d ago16.33 CESTField of Gold is very relaxed on the way to post, and they are now assembling at the one-mile start. Expanded may be a late sub for Twain but he is attracting some support, down to 11-2, while Ruling Court is easier to back, at 9-2 from 4-1. 3d ago16.28 CESTRuling Court is the pick of William Buick but he is in the second colours for Godolphin, with a white cap. He’s also gone down early, in a pre-race hood. 3d ago16.26 CESTThey are going to post for the 2,000 Guineas, 10 minutes to the off! 3d ago16.25 CESTAidan O’Brien is on ITV discussing his runner Expanded, explaining that the original plan for his colt was to go the the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh before the absence of Twain forced a rethink. We’d left him with one more piece of work to go when Twain came out but this is a nice place to start him off 3d ago16.23 CEST2,000 Guineas betting latest: 3d ago16.21 CESTThe jockeys are heading into the paddock to climb aboard their partners in the 2,000 Guineas, it has clouded over a little here at Newmarket but the excitement levels are rising by the second! 3d ago16.14 CEST3.35 NEWMARKET, 2,000 GUINEAS STAKES, GROUP ONE, 1M And so, have weighed up the form, the potential improvement from the runners’ most recent starts and the challenge that lies ahead on the unforgiving expanse of the Rowley Mile, what is the verdict? Shadow Of Light, 1lb behind Field Of Gold on Timeform, is certainly a serious rival, yet William Buick has opted to remain aboard Ruling Court in a Classic which the Charlie Appleby stable has won in two of the last three years. Ruling Court has a little to find with Field Of Gold on the ratings but he looked a much more mature and confident performer with another winter behind him and makes plenty of appeal to improve past the favourite and land the Guineas at around 4-1. 3d ago16.04 CEST2,000 GUINEAS FORM GUIDE: Green Impact Jessica Harrington is one of the finest dual-purpose trainers the sport has seen with Group One winners at Royal Ascot on her cv alongside victories in the Champion Hurdle She had a useful bunch of two-year-olds last season however and has a live chance to break her Classic hoodoo today with Green Impact who took a valuable Group Two event at Leopardstown on Ireland’s Champions weekend in September 3d ago15.58 CESTNEWMARKET 2.55 RESULT: Rumstar breaks clear of pack1 Democracy Dilemma and She’s Quality away well… Rumstar comes with a strong run down the middle … looks like a winning move … Rumstar wins! 3d ago15.52 CESTNEWMARKET 2.55, PALACE HOUSE STAKES, GROUP THREE, 5F 3d ago15.47 CEST2,000 GUINEAS FORM GUIDE: RULING COURT Charlie Appleby’s first-string on jockey bookings with William Buick in the saddle and he kept a much lower profile than Shadow Of Light The second of those was in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York where he started favourite but finished only third behind the highly-rated The Lion In Winter having run as though a bit more experience would have seen him in a better light Acomb StakesLike Field Of Gold, he also seemed to have improved significantly with another winter behind him, and bolted up in the UAE’S version of the 2,000 Guineas at Meydan in early March Updated at 15.47 CEST3d ago15.41 CEST…. and they are off and running in the Thirsk Hunt Cup! Flight Plan leads, Northern Express and Cruyff Turn close behind, and now Flight Plan kicks on at the top of the straight … still in front at the half-furlong pole … and Flight Plan just holds on under a fine front-running ride by Sam James. 3d ago15.39 CESTLate money for Mr King in the Thirsk Hunt Cup and he’s the new favourite at 4-1, Obelix out to 6-1. 3d ago15.35 CEST2,000 GUINEAS FORM GUIDE: THE TOP TWO-YEAR-OLDS Having consider the Craven form ahead of the Guineas the next stop is the best performances from the 2024 juveniles including the two horses in today’s field with Group One wins to their name last year Shadow Of Light took the Dewhurst Stakes by a neck from Expanded beating the subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner with the blue-and-white stripes of Seagulls Eleven not too far away in third 3d ago15.25 CESTNEWMARKET 2.20 RESULT: Fox Legacy stays on for win1 Hand Of God is mid-division as Metallo takes them along… now Tom Marquand brings Approval on the far side … they are well spread out across the course … Urban Sprawl close up too … Hand Of God needs running room and hasn’t picked up .. Fox Legacy and Oisin Murphy take a useful lead a furlong out … Fox Legacy staying on well and going clear … a couple of lengths to the good at the line 3d ago15.17 CESTNewmarket 2.20 betting: Hand Of God was an 11-4 shot this morning but he has been backed down to 13-8 and is one of the gambles of the day so far. 3d ago15.12 CESTNEWMARKET 2.20, BETFRED SUFFOLK STAKES HERITAGE HANDICAP Updated at 15.14 CEST3d ago15.10 CESTCrimson Advocate gets the win by a nose at Goodwood, and it was a neck back to Bright Thunder in third. 3d ago15.09 CESTGOODWOOD 2.00 RESULT: Crimson Advocate wins1. CRIMSON ADVOCATE 3-1F, 2. Betty Clover 14-1, 3. Bright Thunder 7-2. Updated at 15.13 CEST3d ago15.04 CESTWow, that is a pixel at most between the first two at Goodwood. 3d ago15.03 CESTOff and running in the 2.00 at Goodwood … Sirona takes them along early, Protest next, Crimson Advocate last at halfway … Bright Thunder poised in third, Crimson Advocate going well and making ground on the outside, four fillies converging on the line … Crimson Advocate maybe just got there ahead of Betty Clover but it’s very close! Updated at 16.06 CEST3d ago14.56 CESTGoodwood 2.00 latest betting: 3d ago14.52 CESTIt took More Thunder a while to hit top gear in the sprint handicap at Newmarket and he was nearer last than first going into the Dip, but once he hit the rising ground he stayed on with real purpose and he got there with half a stride to spare. 3d ago14.51 CESTGOODWOOD 2.00, RACINGCLUB.COM CONQUEROR FILLIES’ STAKES, LISTED, 1M Updated at 15.03 CEST3d ago14.50 CESTNEWMARKET 1.45 RESULT: More Thunder storms it1 Lethal Levi broke well and leads, More Thunder is well off the pace and coming under a ride …. Now Aramram leads but here comes More Thunder from clouds … three cross the line together but maybe More Thunder just got there. Updated at 14.53 CEST3d ago14.42 CESTNewmarket 1.45 betting: 11-4 More Thunder, 11-2 Woodhay Wonder, 6-1 Aramram, 17-2 Lethal Levi, 10-1 Two Tribes, 11-1 bar. 3d ago14.31 CEST2,000 GUINEAS FORM GUIDE: FIELD OF GOLD Will John Gosden finally get his hands on the 2,000 Guineas to complete the set of all five British Classics then perhaps it never will as Field Of Gold goes into this afternoon’s race with the standout piece of recent form Whether to back him or oppose him is the obvious starting point for any analysis of today’s race from a punter’s point of view and the answer depends almost entirely on your view of his win in the Craven Stakes over the Classic course and distance who had form in several good juvenile races last season and is a 16-1 shot today was three-and-a-half lengths away in second Craven StakesField Of Gold’s only start at Group One level as a two-year-old was in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longhamp on Arc day where he finished fourth behind Aidan O’Brien’s Camille Pissarro (who was beaten on his three-year-old debut at the Curragh in March) Updated at 14.47 CEST3d ago14.17 CESTUnequal Love proved to be a very disappointing favourite for the opener, she could not respond after Oisin Murphy kicked for home on Frost At Dawn and finished nearer last than first. 3d ago14.15 CESTNEWMARKET 1.10 RESULT: Tiger Bay takes the victory1 Not the start to the afternoon that punters were hoping for as Tiger Bay and Trevor Whelan run down Frost At Dawn (Oisin Murphy) close home 3d ago14.01 CESTNewmarket Heath is a somewhat bleak expanse of East Anglian landscape and the racecourse itself is not the most viewer-friendly track – it was, apparently, designed with spectators riding behind the action on horseback in mind, rather than the common herd watching alongside. But on a day like today, it absolutely comes alive and there are thousands of racegoers here enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to a top-class afternoon of racing. 3d ago13.48 CESTITV’s coverage does not kick in until the 1.45 race here but proceedings are about to get underway with the 1.10 the Listed Chaloner Stakes over six furlongs who had some useful form as a four-year-old including a win in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot and a third-place finish in the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock in September made a successful seasonal debut in this race last year and is trading at around 11-10 for a repeat the historic setting for the 2,000 Guineas Eleven runners are due to go to post at 3.35pm BST and one will take the unique opportunity to add his name to a roll of honour that dates all the way back to 1809 who bolted up in the Craven Stakes over the Classic course-and-distance last month but he is opposed by several very promising three-year-olds with varying levels of achievement and experience to date who will be bidding to give his veteran trainer a long-overdue first victory in the 2,000 Guineas who took Britain’s most prestigious juvenile event a “dark” horse in the manner of last year’s winner Shadow Of Light is one of just two juvenile Group One winners in the field – Scorthy Champ is the other – while Aidan O’Brien relies on Extended as he goes in search of a record-extending 11th Guineas winner a competitive renewal of the Palace House Stakes a significant pointer towards the big sprints to come at Royal Ascot and beyond while a Royal meeting winner from last season makes his first start since in the Suffolk Stakes Handicap at 2.20pm The ITV action is completed by Thirsk’s feature event of the season and a quick trip to Sussex for the Conqueror Stakes for fillies at Goodwood at 2pm The 2025 Flat season will have its first Classic winner in just over three hours’ time and all the build-up as well as the race itself will get in-depth coverage as it happens here on the Guardian’s live blog It looks like JavaScript is not enabled in your browser Harry Wilson returns with his advice for all seven races on the 1,000 Guineas card at Newmarket – plus the two races live on ITV from Salisbury and Hamilton 1.45 NewmarketBetfred Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed) Harry's tip: Sand Gazelle The Gosden yard has dominated this contest with six of the last ten runnings going their way She looked briefly outpaced before really finding her stride to win going away on her debut a performance that can be marked up considering the other principals raced closer to the pace A 425,000gns yearling by Frankel out of a winning half-sister to Arc heroine Bluestocking and looks an exciting filly for a powerful stable 2.00 SalisburyFitzdares Taking Bets Since 1882 Fillies' Conditions Stakes Harry's tip: Anthelia getting nicely on top at the finish after not having the best of starts She beat a short-priced one from a stable known for juvenile winners and this half-sister to Punchbowl Flyer should know a lot more this time and can put her experience to good use 2.20 NewmarketBetfred Dahlia Stakes (Group 2) Harry's tip: Cinderella's Dream Charlie Appleby fields two and I am not surprised to see William Buick choose Cinderella's Dream Buick partnered her when finishing half a length in front of Beautiful Love in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the pair were narrowly beaten by subsequent top-level winner Choisya in the Group 2 Balanchine at Meydan in February She hasn't raced in Britain since last year's 1,000 Guineas in which she ran a then career-best Racing Post Rating in finishing seventh but this Belmont Oaks winner is clearly suited by this longer trip and should be up to winning this 2.35 HamiltonHampton By Hilton Onsite Hotel Buttonhook Handicap Harry's tip: Tafsir It is easy to forgive Tafsir's return run at Musselburgh last month as he reared at the start and had his blindfold removed late He is never been at his best fresh anyway but he has to be of interest returning to Hamilton with three of those victories coming from five starts over this distance He's 5lb above his last winning mark but that is offset by Rhys Elliott's claim and he has a solid record on good to firm ground 2.55 NewmarketBetfred Handicap Harry's tip: Align The Stars The Charlie Johnston-trained Align The Stars has to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Queen's Cup at Musselburgh but he was slowly away and had to race wide throughout His close third behind Al Qareem following wind surgery and a break was a career-best yet the handicapper did not raise him in the weights He can take advantage of that here if breaking more kindly from the stalls 3.35 NewmarketBetfred 1,000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) Harry's tip: Desert Flower I can not see past Desert Flower for the Fillies' Classic She progressed well with each start last year and was my idea of the winner after winning the May Hill at Doncaster in September She looked incredibly good when bolting up in the Fillies' Mile when last seen seeing out the mile powerfully and proving she handled the track She impressed Charlie Appleby in a gallop last month and will prove very difficult to beat 4.10 NewmarketTattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes Harry's tip: Twilight Star Twilight Star ran an odd race on her debut over this course and distance at the Craven meeting showing bright early speed before losing her position but staying on well at the end to take third She showed obvious signs of greenness that day but should know more this time and can put her experience to good use against three newcomers 4.45 NewmarketTattersalls Online £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes Harry's tip: Rising Power Moonfall ran well over course and distance on his debut and will likely be more streetwise but he lost to a Godolphin newcomer that day and could face the same fate here with Rising Power the son of Wootton Bassett is a half-brother to useful sprinter Roulston Scar and Group-placed Special Purpose and goes for a stable who are 2-3 with their juveniles this season (the other was placed) 5.20 NewmarketNyetimber Handicap Harry's tip: Merchant I have had my eye on Merchant since he made a rather eyecatching debut at this course in November when he was slowly away but was the only one to make significant headway from the back going down by just a short head over a mile at Newcastle before getting up late in the day in a 1m½f novice at Wolverhampton in December when last seen and that Newcastle form has been well-advertised since with the winner placing off a mark of 82 and the third landing a handicap here on Friday off a mark of 79 His opening mark of 82 looks fair and he shapes as if he will improve for this longer distance Richard Birch is ready to hail a filly with a 'hint of brilliance' in the 1,000 Guineas and a Hamilton specialist is the day's best bet     The Punt Acca: Matt Rennie's three racing tips on 1,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday     Newmarket Placepot tips: Tom Segal's perm for the £150,000 pool   Looking for free bets? 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Remember Ben with a gift to Thoroughbred aftercare Subscribe for FREE to the Daily PDF or the News Alerts Home » Archive » Europe » Godolphin's Awesome Foursome From Newmarket to Kentucky William Buick celebrates an outstanding weekend aboard Desert Flower | Racingfotos awesome,” chanted William Buick after galloping off across Newmarket Heath with Desert Flower When Good Cheer slipped through the slop at Churchill Downs on Friday evening few could have predicted how many more cheers were to come for the global Godolphin team in the Kentucky gloom and the chilly Suffolk sunshine the breadth of which has surely not been seen before despite the extraordinary achievements of some of Godolphin's regular rivals among the vast owner-breeder operations Two homebred winners of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby and a homebred 1,000 Guineas victrix to complete the quartet after Ruling Court the most expensive breeze-up horse ever purchased in Europe at €2.3 million stamped himself as the next big stallion prospect for the Darley line-up in the 2,000 Guineas Brad Cox and Bill Mott kept the American half of the bargain who won his first 1,000 Guineas on Sunday after landing his third victory in the corresponding colts' Classic just 24 hours earlier as well as saddling last year's champion two-year-old Shadow Of Light to be third in the 2,000 Guineas “I rang the American team last night and said 'Thanks for putting the pressure on'.” But Appleby never really does look pressured With a sizeable Godolphin entourage around him as well as his wife Aisling and children Erin he has enough support to be able to throw one hell of a party when things go right and share the frustration when they do not including a facile win in the only other group race on Newmarket's Sunday card with Cinderella's Dream in the Dahlia Stakes when Godolphin's more select team cherrypicked some of the biggest international prizes Appleby was there for those years and will have felt the lows as he grafted his way into a position of influence His success over the last decade has not changed him and that could well be telling in the results that he is enjoying now when Sheikh Mohammed is seen publicly in Britain but he was not far from the thoughts of some of his most senior and trusted allies a longtime member of the Godolphin team through the ebb and flow of goods days and bad was close to tears as she watched  the presentation rostrum heaving with representatives of the operation “The thing is that everyone who works at Godolphin is doing this for Sheikh Mohammed,” she said stallion and breeding at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud could take pleasure in observing the filly in the winner's circle whose strapping physique promises so much more to come Desert Flower is out of the homebred Promising Run whose best day came on the Rowley Mile when winning the Rockfel Stakes and who throws another line across the Atlantic as a daughter of Hard Spun who has spent his entire stud career on the Darley roster “It's a complete life-changer in terms of achievement,” O'Rourke said as he summed up the fab four “Sheikh Mohammed has been so brilliant in supporting our business but what he has achieved and helped us to achieve over the last 48 hours is quite extraordinary “With two homebred Classic winners on consecutive days in the US and then winning the Classic here yesterday and then a homebred Classic winner here now it's what you dream about and then wake up and pinch yourself But I think it's safe to say we'll never do that again.” 20 years after Dubawi became the sole Classic winner for Dubai Millennium the baton is being passed as some of his stallion sons come to the fore Desert Flower's sire Night Of Thunder is in the vanguard at the moment laying down his own challenge across the hemispheres Dubawi himself was responsible for the fourth-placed Elwateen who ran a terrific race on only the second start of her life and ensured that Saaeed Bin Suroor O'Rourke added of Night Of Thunder's first Classic success “He's still a young stallion who was a Guineas winner here himself and we've got some fabulous young stock by him to get excited about for the future It's very exciting at the moment and it's hugely satisfying especially for all the stud staff who are the unsung heroes of the day.” a trainer who has wasted no time in making his mark and who fired both barrels in an audacious attempt at an upset with his runners Flight and Simmering taking second and third at odds of 33/1 and 28/1 “I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed – we were so close – but if someone had offered me that this morning I'd have bitten their hand off,” Sangster said but this weekend the Rowley Mile belonged to Appleby Not a subscriber? 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Copy Article Link Editor / News Stories:editor@thetdn.com Advertising:advertising@thetdn.com Customer Service:customerservice@thetdn.com Click Here to sign up for a free subscription who has a particular penchant for jumps racing within touching distance of his favourite track has provided a win double and an each-way lucky 15 for Day 3 of the 2025 Guineas meeting from Newmarket FALAKEYAH delivered a highly promising debut success on the all-weather at Wolverhampton The New Bay filly travelled powerfully throughout once asked for an ounce of effort in the home straight this youngster appears to be a potential top filly and is taken to take a step towards pattern-class company MOONFALL can go one better than when an encouraging runner-up over track and track on debut last month who is a half-brother to Group Three scorer Soprano seemed to learn plenty as the race progressed The grey Camelot filly stretched clear over this 1m2f distance she is taken to at least reach the frame at fair odds for a trainer who arrives in solid form - Ralph Beckett has trained four winners in the previous fortnight BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS could have plenty more to offer this season The five-year-old’s fitness needs to be taken on trust but he had a productive spell last term A winner on good-to-firm ground at Yarmouth he should relish the quick conditions here in what could be a stamina test he absolutely relishes prior to a fourth-placed finish in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes over 7f She settled behind the winner (and reopposing Lake Victoria) but was caught in a pocket when the pace lifted She appears the value option against the short-priced pair of favourites.  WATCHING STARS is an obvious each-way selection in the 1m2f handicap to conclude the Guineas meeting Soft ground was against him on handicap debut here in October; he ran a more promising fourth reappearing over a mile at this course last month A gelding operation may have helped that day with the promise of improvement likely when stretched out to this trip All odds displayed correctly at the time of publishing As well as our Win Double and E/W Lucky 15 tips we have even more horse racing tips today coming from our unique Racing Ratings product The ABC Rating is calculated using several variables with individual scores ranging from -33 to +33 the better the value based on both the bookmaker’s price and the algorithm’s expected price If you're searching for the best free horse racing tips for today look no further than our Racing Ratings horse racing predictions Our Racing Ratings go live every day at 08:00 with our daily horse racing tips page being updated every day at 10:00 We also offer daily each-way horse racing tips We will post three Hit Rates each-way horse racing tips every morning based off of previous form and the hit rate of the horses in question over trip Log in to your bookmaker accounts here so you can place bets without leaving ABC Use my expertly crafted tools to get started Sign up to undefined by claiming this offer exclusively for new customers You can find a record of your bet within your undefined account Star Sports (licence number 009177) is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission Fresh after a very civilised and enjoyable dinner with bookmaker Dan Hague last evening I was up early and ready to rock for the 1000 Guineas today Nick and Emily Wallis replacing Chris from yesterday The other change was the team were betting number two in the second row as opposed to number five in the front row I was told that today wouldn’t be as busy as Saturday – and also that it was going to be cold something I was regretting as betting got underway for the opener the tipster from the Races Now channel that can currently do no wrong so asked for a photo and also Star’s own Jayne Leggett at her local track Business on the opener was much better than yesterday’s supposedly busier day bet sizes were similar to yesterday no lumps to report The favourite Falakeyah was the bogie for £803 with Qilin Queen losing £196 Falakeyah went off in front and was never headed drawing first blood for the punters the biggest price Star Sports laid was 5/2 There were just five runners in the next but it looked a tight betting heat a punter bet £300 at 11/4 Elmalka which was the only bet of any note among a slew of scores and tenners thin and fast with £1974 in the hod at the off with just the one loser While the money with Star was in the latter the best backed horse in the race was Cinderella’s Dream supported from 7/4 into 11/8 Anyone who backed her saw a fairytale run from their fancy easing into an easy and unchallenged lead coming out of the dip to win easily he just didn’t let the price roast when it was gone and the punters left Star Sports out Next up and a ten-runner handicap where they bet 4/1 the field with Liam Swagger heading the market A punter was straight in with a bet of £400 – £100 which he showed me and asked if it could make the blog different fairytale I know but I do like a theme a bet of £5000 – £700 each-way Kihavah the trade always know to bag the fractions So now the firm had a proper bogie for over £5000 that £100 still the biggest bet on the jolly with 10 minutes to go the books would only price up 10 minutes before the off a punter had £40 and £50 wagers on racing at Towcester this afternoon Star will happily lay away and sports bets on course – just ask Incidentally, the rest of my on-course work for Star Sports this month is all at Towcester, I’m there for the first and second rounds of the 2025 Greyhound Derby Friday and Saturday then Friday and Saturday the following week and am really looking forward to it field money bolstered by the trade bet had crept above the £3000 mark the other feature of the race was that Emily had to capitulate and put her coat on as the temperature dropped She lasted two races longer than I would have the bogie was not only beaten but beaten out of the frame The race went to Story Horse the 9/2 second-in winning by a short head and copping £1334 in the win book boost to a total cop of £2026 once the places came into the equation I replied in the affirmative so he sent me off to get them two cappuccinos and a tea with three sugars later I was back to find they’d laid £1250 – £500 Lake Victoria and £1250 – £1000 Desert Flower the biggest bets among well over £3000 worth of bets and counting There were more £100 and £200 bets in evidence than had previously been the case though understandably on the jolly or second in the book was a classic up the front two with a result required classic apart from the fact the second-in was the worst loser for £1721 and Desert Flower £363 holding £4830 the race before the penultimate which four runners contested and one of the first bets in the book was £400 on Twilight Star at 11/8 Savva Roberts who is based in Newcastle and has runners at Star Pelaw he seemed like a very nice chap who appears to know his horses too by the time the quartet headed to post it was evens and losing over a grand in the book The Appleby and Buick wheels finally came off when Spicy Marg showed her trio of competitors the way home returned 7/2 and copped the book £680 Nick bet 1/5 the odds 1-2 the four places on the race Stephen from the Races Now channel came up for another chat he’d been having a cracking day having put up Story Horse at 10/1 and runner-up in the Guineas Flight at big prices without the favourite the six-runner penultimate where an early bet gave the team something to bet up to both dogs at Towcester were beaten adding £90 to the day’s haul steady small money though as the horses were loading the team did lay £500-£400 Moonfall while French Affair had halved in price to a handful there was also money for Sovereign Spell so it did look like punters were expecting good things of a few of these at the off the book held £2297 of punters’ hard earned Rising Power had attracted a few quid early at 2/1 then drifted ominously out to 3/1 the firm were winning £3040 so within touching distance of a winning two days at HQ there was the odds-on Merchant to get beaten or at least not lose too much on in the lucky last That was all down to the punters and if anyone was going to wade in with a wad and risk ruining the day It seemed that Nick was in a tempting fate mood went even money the generally tips-on 10/11 jolly and got it shot off by a monkey-sized wad By this point the firm were flanked by a large group of chaps not betting but drinking and talking absolute bollocks the sun beat down on the group of babbling but not betting buddies while Emily and Dan called bets and Nick tapped away He’d got his shot off head back as the market had followed him out to evens Having only taken the two aforementioned larger bets I was surprised to see the field money had topped £2800 as the horses went to post There was over £3000 in there as the horses went behind for the last 16th time this meeting Nick had them boxed up nicely with Merchant and Hallelujah the two losers for £309 and £159 respectively You would especially after Lightening Mann won at 15/2 the best winner in the book winning the team another £1500 a couple of successful forecast bets took nearly £600 of shine off that total but it was still worthy of an ‘Aye Aye’ Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers Tony McFadden provides the Timeform ratings reaction to a selection of key performances at the Newmarket Guineas meeting Ruling Court had been held back by inexperience when third in the Acomb Stakes on his second and final start at two but he proved much calmer at Newmarket which helped him deliver a more professional and improved performance to win the 2000 Guineas increasing his Timeform rating to 123 (from 114p) who had taken an unconventional route to Newmarket via an easy win in a listed race at Meydan was ridden patiently by William Buick in a race run at just a modest gallop but crucially he secured first run on the favourite when the tempo lifted three furlongs out and also found a better initial turn of foot an impressive winner of the Craven Stakes on his reappearance finished very strongly inside the final half-furlong and ultimately lost out by only half a length Given his strength in the finish and the relatively fine margins involved it's possible he may well have won had he been asked for his effort sooner or been ridden more prominently completed by last season's highest-rated juvenile Shadow of Light pulled nicely clear of the remainder and deserve credit for doing so given the relatively sedate tempo but plenty of obvious candidates were missing - including Hotazhell The Lion in Winter and Twain - and there probably wasn't as much strength in depth as you might expect for a 2000 Guineas Ruling Court's Timeform performance rating of 123 while a significant improvement on his previous efforts is slightly lower than the average for a winner over the last ten years which is a shade higher than 124 On a superb weekend for connections, Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and Buick completed the Guineas double with Desert Flower (remains 118) though she didn't need to match her Fillies' Mile form to beat rivals who finished in a bit of a heap. Desert Flower's performance rating matches Elmalka's bare rating last year and you have to go back to Miss France (110) in 2014 to find the last time a 1000 Guineas winner posted a lower Timeform performance rating Desert Flower's two-year-old form offers obvious hope that she'll run to a higher level than on Sunday should it be required The feature contest on the opening day of Newmarket's three-day meeting was the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes which was won by Bellum Justum (116 from 112) Bellum Justum had disappointed on his reappearance in the John Porter at Newbury but he proved better than ever at Newmarket to overhaul Silver Knott and win by a length and a half Promising prospects extend unbeaten records Cosmic Year had created a huge impression on his first couple of starts in novice company so much so that he would have been a credible contender for the 2000 Guineas connections elected to take a more patient approach and Cosmic Year was instead aimed at the listed King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket. It still represented a rise in class for Cosmic Year but he passed the test with ease quickening up well to score by a length and a half with the runner-up That performance earned Cosmic Year a smart Timeform rating of 113p and he has yet to show everything he has to offer though he will need to progress again to make an impact at the top level as Ruling Court is rated 10 lb higher. Cosmic Year's performance was a big one in the context of recent editions of the King Charles II Stakes as the only winner in the last decade who ran to a higher level was Noble Truth (116) and he went on to follow up in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot The chief supporting race to the 2000 Guineas on Saturday's card was the Palace House Stakes which was won by Rumstar (119 from 116) on his return to action Rumstar had signed off for last season with a career-best effort when landing the listed Rous Stakes at Ascot and he took another step forward in the Palace House putting up the best performance in the race since Mabs Cross in 2019. Rumstar's revised rating of 119 doesn't leave him much to find with the best sprinters around in Europe as the now-retired Bradsell topped the division last season with a rating of 124 were rated 122. Rumstar has spent much of his career running over six furlongs but his last two efforts highlight that he is clearly well suited by five furlongs nowadays and he'll be well worth a crack at a Group 1 in a very open division New Customers Only. 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It looks like JavaScript is not enabled in your browser. TEMPLEGATE tackles a huge Saturday of racing confident of banging in several winners. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. He can give Charlie Appleby his third 2,000 Guineas in three years. He is the choice of stable jockey William Buick who was on board when scorched to victory in Dubai last time. He stayed the mile strongly there and has a lot more to offer. He handles quick ground and looks all class. He showed loads of pace when winning over course and distance 18 days ago. He goes on any ground and can strike again under a 5lb penalty. He shapes like he could be better than a handicapper in time and finished last season with an impressive win at Ascot. This trip suits on fast ground and he’ll take a lot of beating if fit enough. MORE THUNDER showed loads of pace when winning over course and distance 18 days ago He goes on any ground and can strike again under a 5lb penalty A few of these like to be on the pace including Lethal Levi who shaped well in a Group 3 here last time He has enough weight but could hit the frame Purosangue may be a little too high to win but he shaped well enough at Southwell last time and can figure in the finish Aramram is consistent and landed a hat-trick of seconds here last time and is off the same mark today Woodhay Wonder is happiest making all and went well for a long way here last time He should be fitter for that and may have more staying power today and have a better chance of holding on HAND OF GOD shapes like he could be better than a handicapper in time and finished last season with an impressive win at Ascot This trip suits on fast ground and he’ll take a lot of beating if fit enough Arabian Light has few miles on the clock and was impressive at Meydan last time over this trip He likes quick ground and can figure despite his hefty weight Approval is another who could have a big season as a four-year-old He signed off last season with a game win at Goodwood and should enjoy these quick conditions from a fair 4lb higher Galeron ran well in the Lincoln to be beaten less than two lengths on debut for Charlie Hills He could do with a little help from the handicapper but has ability NO HALF MEASURES ended last season holding her own in the Group 1 L’Abbaye at Longchamp so has lots of ability That was on soft but better ground suits and there’s improvement to come this season Beautiful Diamond progressed nicely last year with her second in a Curragh Group 2 the highlight She’s another who should come into her own as a four-year-old Seven Questions has ability as he showed when winning this race 12 months ago He didn’t quite build on that but this is his first run here since and we know he goes well fresh Tropical Storm gets plenty of weight from his elders and took a York Listed contest in August before signing off with a good run in the Flying Childers at Donny He has plenty of scope to improve for Andrew Balding this season RULING COURT can give Charlie Appleby his third 2,000 Guineas in three years He is the choice of stable jockey William Buick who was on board when scorched to victory in Dubai last time He stayed the mile strongly there and has a lot more to offer He handles quick ground and looks all class Field Of Gold is the obvious danger after his demolition job in the Craven here 17 days ago John Gosden is looking for his first win in this race and says his star was only 85 per cent fit last time If that’s true he will take a lot of beating It’s over 20 years since the last horse did the Craven-Guineas double though Shadow Of Light and Expanded were one-two in the Dewhurst last season so should be able to figure at Classic level although Buick has got off the latter to ride the tip You never rule out an Aidan O’Brien runner in this race but Expanded needs a bit more Scorthy Champ is a danger too if building on his National Stakes win for Joseph O’Brien BRIGHT THUNDER ran a promising race when fifth in a Curragh Group 3 last time She travelled sweetly and looked likely to win before her lack of a recent run told in the closing stages Crimson Advocate did well in sprints last season but is bred for at least this trip and went down in a head-bobber in the Listed Snowdrop Stakes at Kempton on return She is another who should have come on for that run Sirona would be a major danger if fully wound up She took a Listed prize at Newmarket in September and went close in a French Group 3 to finish the season She goes on any ground and can have another good campaign Chic Columbine was no match for Dancing Gemini at Doncaster last time but she’ll be fitter for the outing and has won here before which is a major plus on a quirky track that doesn’t suit every horse MR KING had a nice warm-up for this at Redcar last time and has had a welcome nudge down the weights A lot of the field like to be up with the pace and there’s every chance they will go too quick and set things up for a finisher like him He saves his best for quick ground and should get his conditions today A pace collapse would also suit Obelix who was unlucky when coming with a late rattle here last month That was over 7f and moving back to a mile looks a wise move Rhythm Master went close at Redcar 12 days ago and is back from the same mark He was second here two starts ago and has every chance of at least making the frame Our Havana galloped on strongly when scoring at Musselburgh over 7f last time and would be dangerous if lasting home Whip Cracker didn’t run his race in the Lincoln on his turf comeback but the Richard Hughes horses are running better now and he’s in the place picture too Won this race last year and can repeat the feat Game win here latest and can improve further Classy and hard to beat if fit for this comeback Did well last season and Ryan Moore on for return Expensive buy who was impressive in Dubai last time out Highly rated and should be better than a handicapper Hot form on the sand and big chance if transferring to grass Went close over course and distance last time out Won this last year and back from the same handicap mark 1.30       Ancient Times                   Back to his best when scoring at Doncaster last time out Good run at The Curragh on comeback and can improve Consistent and another good effort at Kempton last time 3.20       Spirit Of Albion                 Went close at Epsom last time and can improve for that run Improved through last season and can progress further Good effort at Newmarket last time and right in the mix Two good wins this season and can progress further Showed plenty of promise on debut at Yarmouth last time Good start when fourth at Pontefract latest Has been laid out for this and can come late to score Promising third on debut at Newbury last month Got her head back in front at Pontefract last time Needed his comeback at Wolver and looks on a fair weight 4.55       Mon Na Slieve                   Solid run at Musselburgh and likes this trip Been knocking on the door and this looks a good chance 4.10       Frontier Prince                 Will find this a lot easier than a Grade 2 last time out Good win at Southwell and still ahead of handicapper Good second at Bangor and looks right in the mix again Was in winning form eight days ago and can follow Plenty in hand when scoring at Wetherby last time out Finished last season with good effort at Hereford Fit from the Flat and will enjoy these quick conditions Has been running in much stronger races than this Will be happier taking this significant drop in class Good form in bumpers and should make a fine hurdler Solid hurdler and could have more to come over fences Brought down in much stronger contest last time out Got his head in front last time and every chance again Good winner here last time and can cope with rising mark Good second at Newcastle and the form has been franked Regular winner on the Flat and chance back over hurdles Promise in maidens and can figure on handicap debut Keeps going close and this looks an excellent chance Two good runs including when second at Newmarket latest Good winner here last time and every chance again Flying on the sand and looks dangerous on turf too Bit in hand when winning at Southwell last time Good run at Redcar and a repeat would give him a chance Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Desert Flower wins the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket Charlie Appleby and William Buick completed a classic double when landing the One Thousand Guineas (G1) with Desert Flower  at Newmarket May 4 The Godolphin trainer and jockey had teamed up to take the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) with Kentucky-bred Ruling Court  the previous afternoon And 24 hours later his unbeaten stablemate followed up in the fillies' equivalent Appleby and Buick are the first trainer and jockey team to win the One Thousand Guineas and Two Thousand Guineas in the same season since Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon struck with Virginia Waters and Foostepsinthesands in 2005 Sign up for BloodHorse Daily "I'm a very happy man," the winning jockey said He paid tribute to the unbeaten filly who gave him his first One Thousand Guineas triumph and said: "She's incredible We looked at the race beforehand and we thought we'd have to make our own running and she showed what a versatile filly she is She's very uncomplicated and she keeps galloping Desert Flower was shortened to 5-2 favorite (from 7-1) for the Oaks with Paddy Power When asked whether she could be a filly for Epsom the jockey said: "I think she could be I think that was the way everyone was thinking beforehand "The team will sit down and make a plan It's been an amazing weekend for everybody Appleby added: "I'm delighted for his highness Sheikh Mohammed to have a weekend like this is very special for everybody "I see no reason why she potentially can't step up to a mile-and-a-half She does all her best work in the last furlong." Sangster had the two placed fillies in only his third season with a license and said: "We're elated "There has been a lot of confidence from the Godolphin camp beforehand so to run her close like that is a real feather in the cap of the two fillies They were big prices but we were happy with what we'd been seeing at home." For more European racing, sales, and bloodstock news, visit RacingPost.com A no-nonsense display from Desert Flower at Newmarket gave Charlie Appleby his first 1,000 Guineas winner Desert Flower’s win completed a rare double too for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, who are the first trainer-jockey combination to complete the Guineas double on Classic weekend since Aidan O’Brien and Kieren Fallon in 2005. Buick took charge from the off, sending Desert Flower to the front on the far side, and there she remained, seeing off a late challenge from Flight, a 28-1 outsider, to win by a length with her main market rival, the previously unbeaten Lake Victoria, only sixth. From one season to the next, Appleby’s strike rate is reliably above 25%, making him one of the most consistently successful trainers around. His form figures in the last four trainers’ championships, though, are 1-1-8-3, reflecting a slight shortage of reliable Group One performers, in the Classic generation in particular, to back up a title challenge in 2023 and 2024. It is clearly a different story this time around, however, and the £311k prize for the Classic carried Appleby past seven figures for the season. His two Guineas winners, Ruling Court and Desert Flower, are now also second-favourite and favourite for the Derby and Oaks respectively. This was a first 1,000 Guineas win for Appleby to go with three victories in the 2,000 Guineas in the last four years. “With the fillies, it’s not a page I often look at in the conditions book as we haven’t had many fillies,” Appleby said. “So, when people ask me is she the best filly we’ve had, she is by far, yes. The filly herself is the one who deserves the plaudits. She’s unbeaten and we came here with a lot of confidence as everyone knows, and she’s gone and delivered. It’s her day.” Desert Flower is by a 2,000 Guineas winner, Night Of Thunder, and her dam did not win beyond nine furlongs, but she showed no sign at all of faltering in the closing stages despite being quite free early on. “I see no reason why she can’t potentially stretch up to the mile-and-a-half [in the Oaks],” Appleby said. “She does all her best work in the last furlong and she settles well. So, it’s just a nice conversation to have.” She will surely head now for the Oaks at Epsom on 6 June, where Lake Victoria may once again be in opposition, and the next two weeks will see a series of trials for the Epsom Classics as contenders for both the Derby and the Oaks test their credentials. It’s been an exciting and informative Classic weekend at Newmarket and attention now turns to Chester’s May festival next week, which opens on Wednesday with the Chester Vase and Cheshire Oaks. For now, though, it’s time to sign off from the Rowley Mile, I hope you’ve enjoyed our live coverage from Newmarket. Falakeyah, the Pretty Polly winner earlier on the card, is priced up at around 12-1 while Lake Victoria, who tasted defeat for the first time here in seventh, is a 14-1 shot. 2d ago16.52 CESTCharlie Appleby is talking through the race too. I wasn’t too worried watching the race. We saw it in the Fillies’ Mile and the May Hill, she goes through those gears. We haven’t had many fillies, so when people ask me if she’s the best filly we’ve had, the answer is yes, by far. 2d ago16.44 CESTWilliam Buick is talking to Matt Chapman on ITV on the way back to the winner’s enclosure. She’s very genuine and uncomplicated and she keeps galloping. She hit the rising ground and off she went, she’s all class, a beautiful filly and she may even get a bit further. 2d ago16.42 CESTThat’s a first 1,000 Guineas winner for Charlie Appleby, and a Classic weekend double after his success with Ruling Court in yesterday’s 2,000 Guineas. William Buick rode a fine front-running race on the far side, and he too is celebrating his first win in this Classic. And it’s also a huge for young trainer Ollie Sangster, who saddled both the runner-up and the third. 2d ago16.39 CESTNEWMARKET 3.35 2d ago16.35 CESTOff and running in the 2025 1,000 Guineas! 2d ago16.34 CESTElwateen has found some each-way support too, she’s now 18-1 while Duty First is out to 20-1. They are beginning to go into the stalls. 2d ago16.32 CESTDesert Flower is shortening up in the betting, in to 6-5 from 5-4, and now down to 11-10. Lake Victoria out to 2-1. 2d ago16.28 CESTLake Victoria is on the way to post, very relaxed, and so too Desert Flower. Red Letter, though, is a little fresh. 2d ago16.25 CESTThe runners are in the parade ring for the 1,000 Guineas. The latest betting: 2d ago16.04 CESTNEWMARKET 2.55 RESULT:1. STORY HORSE 9-2, 2. Blindedbythelights 15-2, 3. Knightswood 10-1, 10 ran. 2d ago16.02 CESTOff and running in the 2.55 Newmarket … Story Horse pulls his way to the lead, Artistic Star and Align The Stars in close attendance, favourite Liam Swagger around four lengths off the lead … Saffie Osborne has Story Horse nicely settled on the lead now, Blindedbythelights making progress into fourth … Story Horse stretching for home now, two out, Blindedbythelights comes alongside and into a narrow lead .. Story Horse fights back though and they flash past together … PHOTO 2d ago15.54 CESTOn the way to post for the 14-furlong handicap here at Newmarket, Faylaq’s win at Hamilton has prompted a little interest in Kihavah and he is down to around 11-2. 2d ago15.52 CEST1,000 GUINEAS: THE EACH-WAY CONTENDERS In addition to the well-regarded Red Letter who looked unlucky behind Lake Victoria in the Moyglare Stud Stakes the one for money against the top two in the market today has been the Fred Darling Stakes winner She was a 33-1 shot at Newbury but she had clearly done exceptionally well over the winter and powered three-and-a-quarter lengths clear in a useful time Fred DarlingAnd don’t forget the once-raced Elwateen who showed a great attitude to get back up on her debut after looking in trouble a furlong out 2d ago15.42 CESTHAMILTON 2.35 RESULT:1. FAYLAQ 11-4, 2. Kitteridge 100-30, 3. Knockbrex 8-1. 2d ago15.38 CESTOff and running in the 2.35 at Hamilton … Faylaq and Kitteridge setting a steady pace, Sax Appeal in close attendance, Arrange coming under a ride … two out, still Faylaq leads but Kitteridge isn’t going away, … final furlong, Faylaq staying on best and he’s going to get there … 2d ago15.29 CESTHAMILTON 2.35, HANDICAP, 1M 5F 16YD ITV are certainly casting their net wide today and this is a competitive handicap with the ideal eight horses for each-way purposes in which six of the runners can be given a chance. Arrange and Faylaq head the market, having both made promising returns to action recently, and personal preference is for Faylaq, seventh of 14 at Musselburgh last time, who has an obvious chance from a mark of 89 if that brings him on. 2d ago15.28 CEST2.20 NEWMARKET 2d ago15.21 CESTA bit of late money for Elmalka, she’s in to 9-4, they are starting to load … And they are off and running in the Dahlia Stakes … 2d ago15.17 CESTThey are on the way to post for the Dahlia Stakes, Cinderella’s Dream is the 6-4 favourite with Running Lion on 5-2 and Elmalka at 11-4. 2d ago15.14 CEST1,000 GUINEAS CONTENDER: LAKE VICTORIA but five wins from as many starts last year including three at Group One or Grade One level was enough for Lake Victoria to get the nod as 2024’s leading juvenile filly She was off the mark at the highest level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh finished fourth after finding trouble in running it was back to six furlongs from seven for the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket Cheveley ParkAnd as if that was not enough for one season she maintained her unbeaten record in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Del Mar 2d ago15.05 CEST2.00 SALISBURY RESULT:1. ANTHELIA 7-4, 2. Madame X. 4 ran. 2d ago14.55 CESTFalakeyah has been cut to 8-1 (from 16-1) by Paddy Power for the Oaks, and as short at 5-1 favourite (pending the outcome of the 1,000 Guineas) by Coral. The only significant question mark is whether she will be as effective at a mile-and-a-half, as she took quite a pull in the early stages before settling better once she was in front. But the early exuberance did not have any noticeable effect at the business end of the race, as she quickened into a three-length lead and then maintained her advantage all the way to the line. 2d ago14.50 CESTNEWMARKET 1.45 RESULT 2d ago14.45 CESTOff and running in the Pretty Polly Stakes … 2d ago14.42 CESTNot often you see a seven-runner Group race with no real outsider, this is a field that is brimful of potential and the winner is almost certain to spring close to the top of the Oaks market. 2d ago14.39 CESTThey are going to post for the Pretty Polly Stakes at 1.45, the latest betting is: 2d ago14.32 CEST1,000 GUINEAS CONTENDER: DESERT FLOWER Charlie Appleby’s filly has been the warm favourite for this race ever since her commanding success in last season’s Group One Fillies Mile over the Guineas track and trip, when she strode five-and-a-half lengths clear of Aidan O’Brien’s January. Fillies’ MileIt was a clear step forward for Desert Flower, who had beaten the same horse by only one-and-a-half lengths in the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster a few weeks earlier. May HillDesert Flower’s success was enough to make her the top British-trained juvenile filly of the season, with a rating of 117 in the two-year-old classification, and she will set off at around 11-8 to give her trainer a first win in the Newmarket fillies’ Classic, to sit alongside his three victories in the last four runnings of the 2,000 Guineas. 2d ago14.16 CESTSALISBURY 2.00, FILLIES’ CONDITIONS STAKES, 2YO, 5F 2d ago14.04 CESTNEWMARKET 1.45, PRETTY POLLY STAKES, LISTED, 3YO, 1M2F who were both unbeaten Group One winners in their two-year-old seasons last year whose sole runner in yesterday’s Classic finished ninth of 11 Desert Flower and Lake Victoria head a 10-strong field for today’s Classic an emphatic winner of Newbury’s Fred Darling Stakes last time out who was fourth behind Lake Victoria in last year’s Moyglare Stud Stakes but did not have much luck in running and was still beaten by less than a length-and-a-half There is an intriguing “dark” horse too in Elwateen a daughter of Dubawi who has just one run to her name on the all-weather at Kempton last summer a whole host of lightly-raced fillies with an entry in the Oaks at Epsom next month line up for the Pretty Polly Stakes at 1.45 is among the runners for the Dahlia Stakes at 2.20 The Pretty Polly kicks off the proceedings in around an hour’s time and there will be video form for all the main Classic contenders here on the blog in good time to make a final selection for the big race Racing Post+ tipping is our top-tier betting advice service This and lots more exclusive insight is published every night on racingpost.com from 6pm Racing Post+ tipping is also available daily in the Racing Post newspaper View daily premium tips from the Racing Post’s foremost experts Already a subscriber?Log in Published on 3 May 2025inPremium tips It wasn't beach weather on the Rowley Mile but Cinderella's Dream took the first step on a return trip to 'where the turf meets the surf' when landing the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes in commanding fashion The daughter of Shamardal had her work companion Beautiful Love to aim at as she sat last of the five runners before moving into contention passing the Bushes under William Buick and going clear to leave last year's 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka in her wake The success was a second in the race for Charlie Appleby after the Buick-ridden Wuheida scored in 2018 and the winner has a long-term aim of avenging her narrow defeat in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar in November Appleby said: "She's a stronger model this year and since she came back from Dubai it's surprised me how much she has thrived and strengthened We took her to Dubai to do all that and she didn't really so we knew when she was still in the mix I thought all Will had to do was give her the office As Will said himself it's not often you head into the Dip with a double handful but that's what he had today." He added: "The grand plan would be the Filly & Mare at the Breeders' Cup We'll see whether we take in a race or two here before then but we'll take her to the US for one race before Del Mar." Last year Cinderella's Dream won twice in the US before her Breeders' Cup appearance and the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga in July could be an option trainer Roger Varian said: "Hats off to the winner but we always thought we'd improve for the run We'll see where we go next but she could well be a mile-and-a-quarter horse on this ground and a miler on the soft." Discretion proved to be the better part of valour for those involved with Falakeyah who had been impressing her jockey Jim Crowley so much at home that he had floated the idea of a 1,000 Guineas bid the Listed Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes was chosen for the once-raced Shadwell filly and she blew the race apart with a powerful display from the front Going beyond the 1m2f trip is unlikely for the daughter of New Bay perhaps not surprisingly given Crowley’s pre-race thoughts and trainer Owen Burrows said: “You have to be very impressed with her strong filly who set her own fractions and did it the hard way but Jim said a mile and a half would be far enough for her I wouldn’t be telling everyone to back her for the Oaks just yet The Prix de Diane would be possible as a mile and a half might be a bit far.” A week and a half before she lined up at Newmarket, Spicy Marg marked herself out to trainer Michael Bell as being something a little bit different Plenty appeared to have heard about her too as the filly was supported in from 10-1 overnight to as short as 13-8 to win the 5f fillies’ novice before easing a little to 7-2 at the off Spicy Marg proved to be everything the market suggested she would be Bell said: “She did a nice piece of work ten days ago when she quickened up very nicely I trained her dam and when I saw this filly at the sales I was never going to be beaten in buying her “I’ve also got a very nice Havana Grey filly who’s come in from the breeze-up and she looks useful so I think we have a strong hand with our two-year-olds this year.” 33,425 attended Newmarket across the Guineas meeting Desert Flower storms to 1,000 Guineas glory to complete phenomenal weekend for Godolphin  Ollie Sangster 'elated' with 1,000 Guineas two-three as 28-1 and 33-1 shots massively outrun their odds  Sign up to receive On The Nose Published on 4 May 2025inReports The 375,000gns purchase was a winner on her sole start as a juvenile and has been backed into 16-1 (from 22) to strike on her reappearance when she lines up under Rossa Ryan The market is dominated by Desert Flower who has also been backed into 5-4 favourite (from 11-8) to maintain her unbeaten record for Charlie Appleby and William Buick The pair landed the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday with Ruling Court but like Beckett have yet to win the fillies' equivalent Desert Flower arrives for the mile contest with a stellar reputation after impressing in a racecourse gallop last month and has emerged as the clear market pick over the Aidan O'Brien-trained Lake Victoria who also sports a perfect record from her juvenile season Chantilly Lace and Desert Flower are not the only market movers for Sunday's Classic, with outsider Hey Boo now 33-1 (from 50) for Jack Channon The final day of the three-day meeting will be staged on good to firm ground after conditions dried overnight Ruling Court won on going described as good Clerk of the course Andrew Morris said on Sunday morning: "We didn't water last night and it's good to firm but we were happy with it after racing yesterday and it's much cooler today The breeze has turned around and is half across in their faces." ITV Racing will also broadcast the 5f conditions stakes (2.00) at Salisbury and the competitive 1m5f handicap (2.35) at Hamilton Qilin Queen 6-1 (from 8)2.20 Cinderellas Dream 2-1 (from 5-2)2.55 Align The Stars 8-1 (from 9) Artistic Star 17-2 (from 10)3.35 Desert Flower 5-4 (from 11-8) Hey Boo 33-1 (from 50)4.10 Spicy Marg 7-1 (from 9)4.45 Alkuwarrior 16-1 (from 25)Updated at noon Richard Birch is ready to hail a filly with a 'hint of brilliance' in the 1,000 Guineas and a Hamilton specialist is the day's best bet  'She will prove difficult to beat' - Harry Wilson's tips for every race on day three of Newmarket's Guineas meeting  'We're heading into this full of confidence' - star fillies Desert Flower and Lake Victoria clash in 1,000 Guineas showdown  Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more Published on 4 May 2025inBritain Copyright © 2025 Spotlight Sports Group Limited or its licensors, all rights reserved 2025 · 2d agoDavid Ord is our man at Newmarket where the finish of the Betfred 2000 Guineas is a story of two trainers Two trainers watch the replay of the Betfred 2000 Guineas on the big screen at an overcast and windy Newmarket Had the cards fallen differently this time who knows… Field Of Gold was favourite for John and Thady Gosden and sauntered through the first six furlongs of the contest But he’s a hold-up horse in a fast-ground Guineas Kieran Shoemark has removed any concerns over potential traffic problems Drawn ten of 11 he’s on the stands’ side flank of the group He has some cover but easy access to racing room At this point William Buick in the white Godolphin cap aboard Ruling Court and Mickael Barzalona sporting the blue one on Shadow Of Light A furlong out it looks like the latter is about to overcome market drifts the desertion of Buick and worries over the application of a tongue tie to make a winning return But three strides later Ruling Court is in front Of the two he’s the one bred to see this trip out the yard’s only entry in the Betfred Derby Field Of Gold has declared war and has momentum we turn our heads left to make sure we have the correct coordinates They confirm the leader is safe and half-a-length to the good where it matters most Appleby doesn’t get to enjoy the replay in peace But you don’t begrudge such intrusions when you’ve won the Guineas for the third time in four years The pressure of training racehorses is intense the expectation when you have over 200 of the best-bred and most expensive ones in the country The trainer knows even with such firepower the bad days can outweigh the good We’ve asked in recent years whenever a Group One or three passes by without Royal Blue representation looking towards the well-wishers and asked if he’s enjoyed the 2025 Betfred 2000 Guineas he replies: “I have yes The family are here and I feel like I’m getting older You go through the season and it’s high and lows “I’ve said to William a few times as we fly around the world we need to sit back and enjoy it sometimes.” the winner cost €2.3million and is a son of their new poster boy Justify The Clarehaven trainer insisted in the week that the 2000 Guineas wasn’t an itch that he was desperate to scratch there must be some element of frustration or at least “The race probably wasn’t run in quite the fractions and we were probably sitting some way back and quite frankly he’s kicked and gone (pointing to Ruling Court) and we’ve run out of racetrack “Given another 25 yards the race would have been ours but it’s over a mile and you get a cross tailwind and they just get away from you I’m afraid coming into the Dip “He was clawing the ground back but too late unfortunately I could see it was lost as we came into the Dip we were just sat too far back and this is an unforgiving track it rides like a speed track when it gets firm “I’m surprised they didn’t put any water on but I don’t want to go on about that at all A touch too far back on the fractions and the race just got away from him but he was running strongly at the end and was in great nick You’ll probably find he’s run a better race than he did in the trial but a trial is a trial.” Ruling Court won the 2025 renewal and is 5/1 for the Betfred Derby Then you remember his only career defeat so far came behind The Lion In Winter in the Tattersalls Acomb at York He’s heading for the Dante with the reputation of being by some way Aidan O’Brien’s best three-year-old colt and a new series of trials are about to begin The 2000 Guineas ones ended at Newmarket at 3.38 on Saturday afternoon in glorious vindication for Appleby and Buick We are committed in our support of safer gambling Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133 The Kevin Ryan-trained sprinter is into 7-2 for a race sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool The support has promoted Washington Heights to the head of the Palace House betting from No Half Measures Washington Heights drops back to the minimum trip following his second over 6f in the Durkan Sprint in Qatar in February Guineas favourite Field Of Gold has been backed into 13-8 (from 7-4) with Sky Bet The ground at Newmarket has changed to good, good to firm in places on Betfred 2,000 Guineas day Racing took place on the Rowley Mile on good ground on Friday but conditions have quickened up for the opening Classic of the British Flat season The track has been watered this week following only 1.5mm of rain since the Craven meeting just over two weeks ago and the weather is set to remain dry with the odd sunny spell and highs of 16C Clerk of the course Andrew Morris said: "We were dry overnight with a heavy dew this morning and the ground has quickened up a little bit as we thought "The GoingStick was 7.1 yesterday and it has moved to 7.4 this morning The last watering was on Wednesday and we were really happy with the feedback we received yesterday and we felt leaving it to dry overnight was the best thing to produce the best racing surface for today." The nine-race card at Newmarket starts at 1.10 for which Craven winner Field Of Gold is the general 7-4 favourite Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: "We put an additional ten millimetres of water on the chase hurdle and bumper tracks last night and the going is yielding with the cross-country course good to yielding "We have fresh ground on all the tracks and the forecast is for a dry day again and 15-16C." Goodwood2.40 6 Believitanducan3.20 4 Loraxed3.55 6 Alpha Crucis; 10 Virtue Patience5.05 3 Brighton Boy Punchestown2.30 4 Read To Return4.15 9 Will Do Harry Wilson tipped four winners including a 14-1 shot on Friday - find out his tips for every race on the 2,000 Guineas card  'He fits the description of a Guineas winner to a tee' - Richard Birch sets the scene for a super Saturday of Flat and jumps  'This will be the acid test' - Charlie Appleby, Aidan O'Brien, John Gosden and more on their 2,000 Guineas contenders  Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more Published on 3 May 2025inRaceday Intel Harry Wilson returns with his advice for all nine races on the 2,000 Guineas card at Newmarket – plus the live races from Goodwood and Thirsk on ITV 1.10 NewmarketBritish EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes (Listed) Harry's tip: Unequal Love This looks a good opportunity for Unequal Love to repeat her first-time-out success in this race 12 months ago She was beaten just a length in the Sprint Cup in the autumn before finding the ground too soft when not disgraced in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October She’s the highest rated in the race and should have conditions to suit on her return 1.45 Newmarket Betfred Handicap Harry's tip: Woodhay Wonder Newmarket specialist Woodhay Wonder shaped well on her reappearance over course and distance at last month’s Craven meeting travelling strongly and doing best of those who raced prominently but not being helped by racing on the softest ground she has faced Her record on the Rowley Mile before that was 3-3 and this official mark of 99 looks workable given she recorded a Racing Post Rating of 106 when beaten half a length off the same official 99 rating over 5f at Ascot in July She can reverse form with the first two now conditions are in her favour 2.00 Goodwoodracingclub.com Conqueror Fillies' Stakes (Listed) Harry's tip: Arisaig Arisaig has a bit to find on ratings with the principals but she looked as though she would be worth a go in this class when winning a handicap over course and distance at Glorious Goodwood last year She kept on well from the back in the Newbury Spring Cup on her reappearance last month – when she was entitled to need the run – and her proven ability to handle the track is a big positive 2.20 NewmarketBetfred Suffolk Stakes Harry's tip: Hand Of God It takes a high-quality performer to win this race and the returning Hand Of God fits the bill winning the Esher Cup at Sandown before relishing the step up to 1m2f to land the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot He looks a Group performer in the making and should find an 11lb rise manageable 2.35 ThirskLadbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap Harry's tip: Obelix Obelix was running well without winning in good handicaps before taking advantage of a drop in the weights to land a competitive race at Haydock in September He was an eyecatcher on his reappearance at this course over a furlong shorter last month being denied a clear run and shuffled back when the race was unfolding He kept on well when in the clear to finish fourth suggesting the return to a mile would suit and he could find this setting up nicely for patient tactics 2.55 NewmarketHong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace House Stakes (Group 3) Harry's tip: No Half Measures Just 6lb separates the field on official ratings bar the outsider but the one who could rate plenty higher is No Half Measures rising 35lb in the handicap from a mark of 73 to 108 and picking up a Listed and a Group 3 success on the way She ended the campaign with a good fifth in the Prix de l'Abbaye and will likely have more Group 1s on the agenda this year 3.35 NewmarketBetfred 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) Harry's tip: Green Impact There is no doubt Field Of Gold was impressive in the Craven and he probably deserves to be favourite off the back of that but we’ve not seen the best of Green Impact yet and I prefer him at the prices He progressed nicely when upped to a mile last year following his maiden win with success in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown in September when last seen That form was franked when runner-up Delacroix finished a narrow second in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy and this big colt has a lot of scope to improve again this year 4.05 NewmarketLay And Wheeler Handicap Harry's tip: Knightswood There were plenty of hard-luck stories for Knightswood last year but he consequently dropped to a very workable mark and got back in the winner's enclosure with victory at Ripon last month A 3lb rise should be more than manageable based on the pick of his form notably a close fifth when repeatedly denied a clear run at Glorious Goodwood off a mark 3lb higher 4.40 NewmarketTrustATrader Handicap Harry's tip: Invictus Gold Hanging to his left didn’t help Invictus Gold in a handicap over course and distance last month but he still managed to finish a close third and was probably just a bit lonely when hitting the front early He’s entitled to have needed that reappearance and can show the benefit here 5.15 NewmarketAston Martin 'Confined' Handicap Harry's tip: Rockin’ The Boat Rockin' The Boat ran well in three strong maidens last year notably finishing third on her debut behind subsequent Group 3 winner Tabiti with recent Nell Gwyn winner Zanzoun just half a length in front She followed that with another third behind the Group-placed Flight (second has won since and is rated 88) before doing best of the runners on the near side behind the talented Verse Of Love over course and distance in October A mark of 80 could well underestimate her on this handicap debut and she gets the services of Ryan Moore 5.50 NewmarketNyetimber Handicap Harry's tip: Cogitate having been taken back from his wide draw in a race in which the winner was prominent throughout but he made good headway under considerate handling to finish seventh and I'm sure he's well handicapped Things didn't go to plan for him last year although a five-length second to the now 111-rated Night Raider doesn't read badly at all He has run well in his last two outings and a 1lb drop for last time can only help 'He fits the description of a Guineas winner to a tee' - Richard Birch sets the scene for a super Saturday of Flat and jumps    'This will be the acid test' - Charlie Appleby, Aidan O'Brien, John Gosden and more on their 2,000 Guineas contenders   'It's not as clearcut as the betting suggests' - top trainers deliver their verdict on 2,000 Guineas favourite Field Of Gold  Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more Published on 3 May 2025inFree tips Our value spotter Paul Jacobs is back with his betting plays for Sunday’s action across the UK with three tracks featuring in this week’s column *All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change This is a really interesting Pretty Polly Stakes Anna Swan was always regarded by Sir Michael Stoute as a filly who would come into her own over middle distances in her second season I think that you can forget her run in the Fillies Mile on her final start as she never settled under Richard Kingscote under a rather muddling pace Falakeyah comes into this as the least exposed in the field but I am not sure that she beat an awful lot at Wolverhampton on her only start so I would much rather side with the Ed Walker-trained runner she always looked as though middle distances would be her forte especially on her final start when she galloped through the line in the Listed Ascendent Stakes over a mile at Haydock Park She was then put away by her handler to strengthen up and mature through the winter and I am looking forward to seeing how she has come forward physically in the paddock This looks like a tight low-grade handicap over an extended mile and a half and several of the nine runners in the field have fallen to very viable marks today probably none more so than the 10-year-old The Navigator so will have the advantage of arriving here fit and ready But I just wonder if he can deal with both the selection The last-named returned with a complete success at Bath over a mile and a quarter he may well struggle to get home as they climb this steep finish This won’t be everyone’s idea of a race to have a bet in but with a lack of runners throughout the cards it at least provides us with more choice for the value bet Grey Owl won over the course and distance on similar ground off 52 and must have every chance here of following up off 55 with the in-form David Probert in the saddle I make him the biggest danger to my each-way selection who has been crying out for a step up to this trip he simply doesn’t have many miles on the clock I have written off his last two starts of 2024 at Chelmsford and Southwell as he raced way too keenly on both occasions and was done and dusted well before the quarter-mile pole I am hoping that his young jockey takes a look at those two races and more from last season and rides him with a bit more restraint his best run came when he was taken back a wee bit when coming home nicely at Lingfield over 11 furlongs and off a 7lbs lower mark he looks a solid play here if he does settle back in mid div I thought that this was a fascinating end to the Newmarket card The William Haggas’ trained charge needed every yard of the extended mile to win on his final start at Wolverhampton last year and I don’t think that we will see the best of him until he runs over a mile and a half on better ground and I am looking to the King George V Handicap for him at Royal Ascot One thing you cannot argue with is that his handicap mark of 82 looks very playable But he is likely to start at around the 2/1 marker and the value call surely has to be the Godolphin charge This son of Sea The Stars ran four times as a juvenile and his last run can be safely forgotten as he looked over the top on the soft ground at Newmarket Back on a fast surface and upped and with a cracking run under his belt his fitness and strong staying bloodlines could make him the value against his fellow Newmarket rival at the head of the betting while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change PPB Counterparty Services Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority. For customers in the UK, PPB Counterparty Services Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission 1.45 Newmarket This Tom Ward-trained course specialist lost her unbeaten record at the track when third at the Craven meeting and she has her work cut out to turn the tables on the front two there are sound reasons for believing she can a sales race winner at Newmarket on her final outing at two and the winner of her first two races here last year was running on the softest ground she has encountered on her return and that just caught her out at the end Having been in the front rank throughout on a day when most winners came from the rear but she travelled better than anything until about a furlong and a half out and she will surely be a different proposition back on quick ground Racing Post+ subscribers can read more of Paul Kealy's tipping here: 'He's a big enough price to justify a pop' - Paul Kealy with five value selections for a busy Saturday    Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more Published on 2 May 2025inFree tips Eight are declared but both should be included in case non-runners reduce place terms who finished behind More Thunder over course and distance last month They both reoppose on 5lb better terms with the winner Despite his impressive achievements on the world stage Joseph O'Brien will lack the international reputation of the likes of father Aidan Scorthy Champ looks an out-and-out miler and his juvenile formlines are being undervalued while Shadow Of Light is a Group 1 winner at the course and could be overlooked as the Godolophin second string and these colts are drawn next to each other in the lowest two stalls Join Ross Brierley and Racing Post tipsters Tom Segal and Maddy Playle as they preview the first Classics of the season at Newmarket.  Can Field Of Gold and Desert Flower live up to the hype? Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more Published on 2 May 2025inIn The Know Rumstar’s performance in winning the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Palace House Stakes could not have been better timed given trainer Johnny Portman had scared his owners half to death earlier in the week “I had to ring the owner the other day and ask for permission to spend £4,000 or whatever it was to enter him for Royal Ascot,” Portman said “He still hasn’t recovered and that's why he isn’t here today!” The outlay to enter Rumstar in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot next month which connections may be reassured to know was just an initial £2,845 hardly looked like money badly spent as the five-year-old surged clear in the closing stages to win from She’s Quality and Clarendon House Portman said: “We've been very much looking forward to running him It seems to have been a long time since last October He's been in fantastic form and looking great this year It’s great to be back and have him winning in this company.” "I think now we’ve spent that money we've got to go there now Group 1 races are a different ball game and we're under no illusions – we'll enjoy today." Henry Candy is renowned for his prowess with sprinters and the trainer pulled another rabbit out of the hat when Tiger Bay pounced late to land the opening Listed Ellen Chaloner Stakes The 11-1 chance came from off a fast pace set by eventual second Frost At Dawn to give Trevor Whelan a first taste of riding on 2,000 Guineas day "That was a nice surprise as I thought she had a bit to do on the figures," Candy said "She's yet to really come in her coat but we knew she'd stay well as she's won over seven furlongs." Whelan said: "It's a fantastic atmosphere I liked this filly last year but many of Mr Candy's horses were sick Sir Michael Stoute often had a live candidate for the Suffolk Stakes so it was fitting that his former trainee Fox Legacy won the 1m1f contest The 15-2 chance always looked comfortable behind the enthusiastic pacesetter Metallo with the win marking another victory for Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding after successful stints at the track on Friday Carrying the same King Power colours as Bellum Justum who landed the feature Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes the previous day Fox Legacy could make up in to a Royal Ascot prospect "I know the Sir Michael Stoute camp always liked him last year and he'd been working well coming into this," Balding said "He was well looked after before he joined us and is a nice horse to have on the team." The 6f handicap earlier on in the card also went the way of an ex-Stoute performer as More Thunder powered home late to score for William Haggas and Tom Marquand The day's action attracted a crowd of 17,688 which was up from 16,581 a year ago and the biggest recorded since 2017 Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more Published on 3 May 2025inReports If the same Lake Victoria who we saw dominate as a juvenile turns up at Newmarket for the Betfred 1,000 Guineas (3.35) she'll be extremely hard to beat The question is whether she'll be fully tuned up for her comeback run but the fact that she's the sole Ballydoyle representative suggests fitness won't be an issue It was tempting to bank on her but Duty First might be underrepresented in the pool and she couldn't have won her trial more easily as she has the advantage of having had a run Little Havana's trainer, George Boughey, has an excellent chance in the other race for juveniles (4.45) with Moonfall who ran a cracker from a tricky draw on his debut over course and distance and should come on bundles for that experience ITV Racing is back Sunday for 1,000 Guineas day at Newmarket with action also from Salisbury and Hamilton It all starts here with the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes for 3yo fillies over 1m 2f So many of these are open to bundles of improvement QILIN QUEEN may not be the best of these going forward but she has more experience than most and might be hard to keep out of the frame at least if she’s improved just a little over the winter The Ed Walker-trained filly stayed on strongly to go second behind Luther in a decent race at Haydock when last seen and I’ll chance PIAZZA on debut for Ollie Sangster and Trevor Whelan She’s bred to be speedy and cost 80,000 guineas and she might be a Royal Ascot contender on paper Up in class now for the Group 2 Dahlia over 1m1f RUNNING LION should have hacked up in this last year but she hung left under pressure having shot clear and was picked up late on She stays well and her stable of John & Thady Gosden is in fabulous form so she really should take all the beating even though she faces class acts in Cinderella’s Dream and Elmalka ARRANGE is high enough in the handicap but is a very strong stayer at this trip and might out-battle them my hope is really consistent and has been running well at the likes of Haydock and York He’s been dropped 1lb for a third last time which seems fair enough as it will surely have blown some cobwebs away ALIGN THE STARS was beaten over 40 lengths into last when 100-30 fav at Musselburgh last time and clearly has no chance on that form which he was not able to do in Scotland when slowly away but he once looked like a proper horse at Goodwood and while things have not gone right since he really should be able to operate off a mark of 101 Joe Fanning is on top and I’ll chance a few quid each-way at long odds The big race of the day is the Group 1 1000 Guineas for fillies over 1m This looks like a smash-up between Lake Victoria and DESERT FLOWER I don’t think it will be a smash-up at all The former  looked exceptional last year and was brilliant in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf she was a doubt for this up to just a week ago a strong stayer and sensational in the Fillies’ Mile has been sparkling in her work and I have got the strong impression from both Charlie Appleby and William Buick that they will be stunned if she is beaten She could turn into one of the stars of the season The best four Spotlight tips to include in a Lucky 15 bet today A Lucky 15 is one of the most popular multiple bets among horseracing punters and the clue is in the name as a Lucky 15 consists of 15 bets on four selections in different events The beauty of the Lucky 15 is that only one selection of four must win to guarantee a return and the majority of bookmakers will offer incentives to play the bet Sand Gazelle 1.45 Newmarket @ 6-1 Well bred and represents a yard that has a great record in this race; belied market weakness at Kempton (7f all-weather; won going away) in sole two-year-old run; promising filly Elmalka 2.20 Newmarket @ 2-1 Still has low mileage; came off a strong pace to win the 1,000 Guineas on this card last year then showed consistent form by finishing fourth in three more Group 1 races (mile/1m2f); she's 1-1 under Silvestre De Sousa Artistic Star 2.55 Newmarket @ 8-1 Record of 0-7 since winning his first two races but has several pieces of middle-distance Group form; returns to turf after two all-weather attempts and has possibilities off current mark Red Letter 3.35 Newmarket @ 5-1 Frankel filly whose very solid two-year-old form at the Curragh (7f good) comprises an impressive maiden win and two efforts that tie her in closely with Lake Victoria latest in the Moyglare Stud Stakes when running well despite traffic issues; big player with further progress on the cards If you're ready to place your Lucky 15 bet, Coral have a generous sign-up bonus for new customers. You can get a £50 free bet if you sign up and bet £50 How much your bet returns will depend on how many selections win if two of your selections win then you can expect to be paid on two single bets If three selections win then you can expect to be paid out on three singles Do you want to quickly work out the potential returns for your Lucky 15 bet? Check out the Racing Post's Bet Calculator to manage your bet accurately Newmarket Placepot tips: Tom Segal's perm for the £150,000 pool     Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit our Free Bets page to find out more. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting 2025 · 3d agoThe Betfred 2000 Guineas takes centre stage at Newmarket on Saturday and Matt Brocklebank has a recommended bet in the Classic contest among his three selections 1pt win Inishfallen in 1.45 Newmarket at 16/1 (General) 1pt win She’s Quality in 2.55 Newmarket at 18/1 (General) 1pt win Green Impact in 3.35 Newmarket at 14/1 (Ladbrokes Sky Bet offer EXTRA VALUE to Sporting Life Plus readers with exclusive guaranteed advertised prices for ONE HOUR from the time of publication* - max £25 Just make sure you're logged in and click on the links below to automatically populate your betslip (does not include Sky Bet Money Back As Cash races) *One-hour price guaranteed has now expired This year’s Betfred 2000 Guineas has a slightly strange look to it with Aidan O’Brien relying on the one easy-to-back colt and John and Thady Gosden having the favourite in Field Of Gold There’s no denying the Craven winner is the right favourite based on his striking mid-April display when every respected paddock-watcher seemed to be of the belief that he’d improve massively for the outing based on physical condition If Field Of Gold duly steps forward again then he’s unlikely to be beaten but I don’t see it quite like that as impressive trial winners often don’t improve much on the bare figures at all and – if anything – the Gosden grey could potentially recoil slightly in a different scenario this weekend He should get another good gallop to chase with Timeform predicting a ‘strong’ early pace thanks to Seagulls Eleven and I can’t see stall 10 being a negative for Kieran Shoemark as he’ll probably have the option of heading for the stands’ side late on If you’re a fan of Field Of Gold at sub-2/1 then you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not considering Wimbledon Hawkeye at longer odds James Owen’s runner wasn’t far off the best of these as a two-year-old splitting The Lion In Winter and Ruling Court at York (arguably a key piece of form) and while beaten three and a half lengths by Field Of Gold in the Craven he too was keen enough through the early stages before staying on quite encouragingly Wimbledon Hawkeye is seen as a Derby prospect by connections but his sire (Kameko) won this Classic and he’s evidently trained on He’ll give it a good go up the middle of the course from stall five Not one of the three Irish horses have been seen yet this season but no wonder John Gosden was nominating them as his biggest fear during a press morning in midweek Expanded flies the flag for Ballydoyle and clearly has major form claims on his close second to Shadow Of Light in the Dewhurst which came only seven days on from a Curragh debut win earlier in October He’s only had the two starts in his life and would need to be a bit special to make a winning debut as a three-year-old – something neither Auguste Rodin nor City Of Troy have managed for O’Brien in recent seasons don’t forget – while Joseph O’Brien’s Scorthy Champ has been talked up in certain quarters but it’s worth noting his best male sibling didn’t train on at all and his full-sister struggled to cope with the Rowley Mile in the 2022 1000 Guineas The best bet at current odds could be GREEN IMPACT for Jessie Harrington He had a highly progressive profile last year despite being a real three-year-old prospect in terms of size and scope and his victory over Delacroix in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown in September has been franked by the second going down narrowly on his final outing last term at Doncaster before winning the Ballysax in good style this spring Green Impact is also seen as a future middle-distance horse and could presumably have gone down the Derby trial route on home soil but it looks highly significant that Harrington comes here instead and she certainly knows what’s required to win a Classic He must have been showing plenty of pace and the pedigree offers hope that he’ll be fine as a miler at this stage of the year too with Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Power featuring on the dam’s side of his page Whether Green Impact is fully effective on the forecast ground is perhaps the biggest question mark against him but it was good going at Leopardstown according to Timeform and I just think it’s fairly factored into his price There are some good-sized fields and competitive races on the supporting card too and I’m siding with Ireland in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace House Stakes as well County Meath-based Jack Davison has had some very decent sprinters through his hands already Mooneista and Thunderbear chief among them and I’m convinced SHE’S QUALITY is over-priced here based on the progress she made last year and the promise of more to come The daughter of Acclamation has been to Newmarket before but I’m not sure we can read too much into her down-the-field finish in the 2023 Cheveley Park as she raced in a group of just three towards the near side and had no chance in hindsight as the much bigger group of centre-to-far side runners ultimately dominated She’s Quality showed blistering speed in the first-time blinkers when making most to land a Listed race at Tipperary last year and she wasn’t completely disgraced when beaten five lengths by Bradsell in the Flying Five when last seen The fact she skipped the rest of the campaign suggests she was deliberately kept away from the autumn conditions and I think she’ll be right at home on quick ground at Newmarket The pace is going to be on in the Betfred Handicap too and it could easily tee things up beautifully for More Thunder who is 3lb well-in under a 5lb penalty for his win here last month The ground is potentially much quicker this time and I’ll chance one of the likely prominent racers in Brian Meehan’s INISHFALLEN Running him over a mile on his comeback looked a bit optimistic and the son of Exceed And Excel ended up eighth but he actually shaped pretty well for a long way there and it might have served as the ideal prep He’s technically 1lb wrong as he was dropped for the reappearance spin but is just 1lb higher than when second to First Folio at Yarmouth on his final run of last season Inishfallen is fully 10lb lower than his peak juvenile rating and he definitely wouldn’t be the first four-year-old to come back to life having struggled a bit (also gelded) at three He looks a sprinter to me (Timeform call him ‘sturdy’) and the faster they go the better if he can just sit on the coattails of the out-and-out speedballs The Betfred Suffolk Stakes may be the main punting race for some but I can’t quite bring myself to oppose the top two in the market Dutch Decoy was a never-nearer fifth of eight at Ripon recently and he improved loads for a run last spring so more could be in the offing here He’s rarely had the rub of the green in these big handicaps but likes the ground on top and would be a threat to the principals on his best form He’s another who is badly in at the weights (2lb wrong) for this early-closing race and I can let the horse go at single-figure odds Click here for full and transparent Value Bet record Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org I first saw 1950’s rockabilly legend Sonny Burgess before his first UK appearance at Weymouth in 1984 I showed him the photo of us back then and he smiled said ‘I shouldn’t leave it quite so long before the next time!’ Sonny passed away in 2017 Today was my first time at the Guineas meeting I’d better heed Sonny’s words before my next time They were up and ready to take on the punters for the mammoth nine-race card very early but the first bet of note they took was £1500 – £1000 Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler to win the World Matchplay darts in July The first of the nine races featured just eight runners and an odds-on favourite in Unequal Love which as they were going down largely young and boisterous but not betting apart from the few guys that bagged evens the tips-on meanwhile Steve who reads the blogs and used to be in the game came up to say hello As the next heat was a competitive looking handicap which I didn’t expect to be busy I went in search of previous #BettingPeople interviewee ex top NH jockey and author Ian Watkinson He was in his usual spot soaking up the sun and looking well It’s always a pleasure to see him when in Newmarket if you aren’t familiar with Ian and his story check out his interview my assumption that the betting on the second race wouldn’t be lively had proved to be accurate though the book had taken £800 worth of bets with 10 minutes to go so an improvement the forecast clouds rolled in from the north it looked as if my extended bald patch tanning session was almost over ‘Where’s everyone going?’ That was Nick’s perplexed question as the crowds gathered like the clouds but appeared reluctant to bet though there was a flurry as the horses passed the stands to the post the well-backed 11/4 favourite got up on the line to win by a short head the book looked to have lost a monkey but the places went their way that deficit was reduced to a loss of £303 #BettingPeople: IAN WATKINSON The wind was picking up and coats were going on as betting got going in the third Hand Of God opened the 7/4 favourite but again do the big punters avoid these public Saturdays these days The wind and change in temperature didn’t help matters either Dan got a bit concerned when Nick asked about putting the mush up which would have almost certainly resulted in the formation of the Star Sports airborne division fingers crossed as I only brought one jacket I was almost dozing off when Nick called £1050 – £600 Hand Of God right in the hole Fox Legacy won the race and the book copped a very welcome £1091 Next up and the team got excited when an £800 – £200 Washington Heights was called in and was immediately elevated to the biggest bet of the heat status that bet was bested at least in takeout when £1100 – £200 Beautiful Diamond was laid Bets continued to be tendered in a fairly brisk manner keeping Dan and Chris busy fielding and Nick tapping away at the off the hod held £2250 but was up the front three so a result was required for the hard work to pay off Rumstar winning at 7/1 was a cracking result copping £1973 which was really handy four races in a nearly halfway through the card the horses were going to post when that bet famine was broken by a monkey at 15/8 on the jolly Then a punter came in with a further bottle Nick on the keyboard hoisted the white flag and cut the market leader to 7/4 but only in line with the majority of the ring there was soon 15/8 around again so if anyone wanted to back the bogie at 7/4 they were welcome some did bringing the figure in red to over £4500 The money on the machine was still coming for Expanded resulting in it being only a handful with Star Sports in the ring Nick had time to tell me that they’d taken 500 bets on the day and the average bet had been £22 business was steady but had slowed significantly from the Guineas French master had been backed from 2/1 to 6/4 in the market generally but not to amounts of any size with Star Sports apart from £650 – £400 on its way down there was £1935 in the hod with French Master losing £508 The good run continued 4/1 shot El Cordobes won the race the book won £798 people’s stamina appeared to be starting to sap by this point but there were still people keen to have a bet stakes were certainly echoing responsible betting £5 win and each-way bets were by far the most prevalent Everyone perked up when they laid an £800 – £200 Invictus Gold While I might be bemoaning the size of the bets especially considering the type of race this looked The market mover in the race was The Dragon King which had been supported from 9/1 into 5/1 and glowing red accordingly nestled between the two other market leaders also losers the book lost £760 which was an unwelcome reversal after the hard work from the guys fielding all those fivers The penultimate was another 9/2 the field race Nick and Chris on the front of house were happy that business was still ticking over It ticked over a bit quicker when a punter bet £900 – £200 White Crown Star At this point I should remind readers that there were three full lines of bookmakers behind Star Sports’ privileged pitch on the front line It must have been incredibly hard to take enough money to make it pay behind them but once again not to lumps on course was for Rogue Diplomat backed from 13/2 into 5/1 keeping £710 of it when 12/1 chance Silver Ghost obliged Going into the last the firm were £6715 in front it would need to be an extraordinarily bad result in the lucky ninth and last race to end 2000 Guineas day The sight of police rushing up to the bottom end of Tatts alerted that there was a proper old scrap between ‘big lads’ going down at the extremities of the betting ring but didn’t bode well for the ambience in town this evening they were taking part in a more honourable pastime on which the sun was once again beating down passed the grand mark with 10 minutes to post time That total had crept up to over £1500 in a constant drip of fives and tens as the field set off there was £1540 in the hod with Mr Baloo the worst loser for £1254 Mr Baloo made a good go of making a dent in the winners as did smaller loser Stirling Knight but where it mattered at the line 6/1 shot Great Chieftain won the race £971 We’re back tomorrow for the 1000 Guineas and just the seven races and a forecast icy blast Masekela (4.53 Hamilton) Has shaped better than the bare form in both starts at Thirsk this spring including when unlucky not to finish closer than sixth last time Down in grade here and can take advantage of a much reduced mark under David Allan.Paul Curtis Want to get more from your horse racing bets today? Sign up with bet365 and get £30 in free bets if you bet £10 Moonfall (4.45 Newmarket) George Boughey's colt pulled nicely clear of the third when runner-up on his debut over course and distance last month and will be hard to beat with that experience behind him.Marcus Buckland Elmalka (2.20 Newmarket) Last year's 1,000 Guineas winner ran with credit in three subsequent starts and this 1m1f trip looks good for the Roger Varian-trained filly.Matt Rennie Enjoying today’s free racing tips? Explore even more expert horse racing tips and in-depth analysis to help you back a winner Desert Flower (3.35 Newmarket) Clocked a terrific figure when winning the Fillies' Mile and will take some beating in the first fillies' Classic.Craig Thake Spicy Marg (4.10 Newmarket) Michael Bell's youngster has been showing up nicely on the peat moss gallop and is fancied to score first time.David Milnes Sand Gazelle (1.45 Newmarket)  Bred to appreciate this step up in trip and is open to any amount of improvement for a yard with an excellent record in this race.Jake Aldrich Signposts: punting pointers for Sunday's racing  Paul Kealy's play of the day at Newmarket   The Punt Acca: Matt Rennie's three racing tips on 1,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday   Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more Looking for the best betting offers? Find this week’s top picks across racing, football, golf, and more.