1000 Guineas - Big Race Preview

Remember The Name - French raider What A Name can take the 1000 Guineas

The fillies’ equivalent of the Guineas is not as straight forward to get to the bottom of as I personally think the colts’ race is, but that being said I still have a pretty confident selection for this Sunday’s race.

The last couple of 1000 Guineas have thrown up some big priced winners in Blue Bunting and Homecoming Queen, perhaps surprisingly given their connections, and although you’d be a fool to say a surprise won’t happen this year’s race does look at the mercy of the horses towards the head of the betting.

The French have taken two of the last five runnings of the 1000 Guineas with Natagora winning in 2008 and Special Duty being awarded the race in 2010 and I think they can make it a 50% strike rate in the last six years in 2013 with the Mikel Delzangles-trained What A Name.

Weekend Preview - Newbury

Olympic Legacy - Olympic Glory can cement his reputation in the Greenham

The flat season has really got under way in earnest now and although many eyes will undoubtedly be on Ayr this weekend for the Scottish National, my main interest this weekend is at Newbury for the Greenham meeting.

In the 1.50, formerly the John Porter Stakes, the horse that shall forever be known as Frankel’s brother Noble Mission returns and should take all the beating given the way the Cecil yard have started the season and how consistent he’s been in races at the top level.

Noble Mission won on this card last year and the 1m4f looks to be his optimum trip. Last year’s St. Leger seventh Guarantee could give him most to think about but this looks a good opportunity for Frankel’s full brother to make his first start in 2013 a winning one.

In the 2.55, formerly the Fred Darling, William Haggas’ unbeaten Rosdhu Queen looks the one to be with. She’s got an extra furlong and ground softer than she’s raced on thus far to contend with but she should be good enough to see off the opposition and head to the Guineas still without a loss to her name.