The G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas sees a contentious field of 14 try their hands at gaining an all-important Classic next to their names. Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners bring two striking colts to the fray in potential G1 Betfred Derby headliner Auguste Rodin and G1 Phoenix S. winner Little Big Bear. Juddmonte's star Chaldean is looking for redemption after dislodging retiring reinsman Frankie Dettori in the G3 Greenham S. last month. If the latter duo succeed, it would be the Italian's fourth Guineas. We took a look at the story behind each of the 14 runners for this first Classic of the British Flat season.
AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE), Deep Impact (Jpn)–Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: M Tabor & D Smith & Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg
Breeder: Coolmore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: First foal out of the top-class triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron, who achieved her top-flight successes in the Fillies' Mile, Prix de l'Opera and Lockinge S. Rhododendron is a full-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Magical and Group 3 winner Flying The Flag and is herself a daughter of Irish 1000 Guineas winner Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Auguste Rodin is already proven over the trip and should get further. Deserved favourite.
CHALDEAN (GB), Frankel (GB)–Suelita (GB) (Dutch Art {GB})
Owner: Juddmonte
Breeder: Whitsbury Manor Stud
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Sales History: 550,000gns Tattersalls December foal
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The sixth foal out of the unraced Dutch Art mare Suelita, who has produced high-class horses over sprint trips, including Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), winner of the G2 Mill Reef S. and now standing at Castlefield Stud for €5,000. Slight question mark on whether he will see out the mile and, despite coming into the race off the back of a mishap in the Greenham, he brings arguably the best 2-year-old form to the table.
CHARYN (IRE), (Dark Angel {Ire})–Futoon (Ire) (Kodiac {Ire})
Owner: Nurlan Bizakov
Breeder: Grangemore Stud
Trainer: Roger Varian
Sales History: 250,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A full-brother to Wings Of War (Ire), a smart operator in Britain over six furlongs for Clive Cox before being sold to Hong Kong. The dam is listed-placed and a five-furlong winner who hails from a speedy family being a daughter of a winning-sister to G2 Mill Reef S. winner Galeota (Ire) (Mujadil). No match for Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the G3 Greenham S. and career-best needed to get involved.
DUBAI MILE (IRE), Roaring Lion–Beach Bunny (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire})
Owner: Ahmad Al Shaikh
Breeder: Skymarc Farm
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Sales History: €20,000 Goffs Orby yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The ninth foal out of notable performer Beach Bunny, a listed winner and multiple group-placed for Lady O'Reilly, including when second in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh. Has produced two black-type performers–Naadirr (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Beach Belle (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire})–as well as nine individual winners from as many runners. Tough task given he showed his best form at two when battling to G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud glory over an extra couple of furlongs on heavy ground. May not have the pace required.
FLIGHT PLAN (GB), Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Romp (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Clipper Logistics
Breeder: Miss K J Keir
Trainer: Karl Burke
Sales History: 150,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The fourth foal out of a half-sister to Group 2-winning miler Robadallo (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who has already produced a winner in Hot Affair (GB) (Ivawood {Ire}). Warmed up for this with a second-placed effort in a listed contest on the all-weather at Newcastle. Lots to find on all known form.
GALERON (IRE), Camacho (Ire)–Society Gal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Owner: Teme Valley & Aura (Gas) Holdings Ltd
Breeder: Gigginstown House Stud
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Sales History: €45,000 Goffs Orby yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The ninth foal and half-brother to five individual winners. Dam is an unraced half-sister to Group 3 winner in America Good Mood (Ire) (Danehill Dancer (Ire). Experienced runner but plenty to find on the protagonists.
HI ROYAL (IRE), Kodiac (GB)–Majestic Roi (Street Cry {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: Jaber Abdullah
Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Limited
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-brother to five winners including black-type performers over a mile and upwards Noor Al Hawa (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) and Majestic Jasmine (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). Dam won the G1 Sun Chariot S. Unexposed with just three runs under his belt and one of the more interesting outsiders.
HOLLOWAY BOY (GB), Ulysses (Ire)–Sultry (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Nick White & Mrs. E Burke
Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud, Ltd.
Trainer: Karl Burke
Sales History: 60,000gns Tattersalls December foal; 60,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The listed winner has placed four times at group level and was third in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. This is the family of G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Gay Gallanta (Woodman) and her son, the multiple group winner and sire Byron (GB) (Green Desert). Has already found several too good over course-and-distance last autumn.
INDESTRUCTIBLE (IRE), Kodiac (GB)–Shareva (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire})
Owner: Amo Racing, Ltd.
Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud
Trainer: Karl Burke
Sales History: 55,000gns, vendor, Tattersalls October Book 2; €150,000 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Successful in the G2 Champagne S. at two, the bay is out of a half to three-time group winner Shamreen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G3 Singspiel S. hero Shahroze (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Shamreen has thrown G2 Railway S. winner Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), twice placed at the highest level. Best on the day in the G3 Greenham S. after Chaldean's ill luck, but would need to bring his absolute top effort.
LITTLE BIG BEAR (IRE), No Nay Never–Adventure Seeker (Fr) (Bering {GB})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Mangier, M Tabor & Westerberg
Breeder: Cammas Park Stud & Summerhill
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Sales History: €320,000 Arqana August Yearling Sale.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A winner of the G1 Phoenix S. and G3 Anglesey S., the son of stakes winner and G3 Prix Cleopatra runner-up Adventure Seeker counts five-time Group 1 winner All Along (Fr) (Targowice) as his third dam. Not as long-winded has his stablemate, but a classy individual regardless. It will be his first time going beyond 6 1/2 furlongs.
NOBLE STYLE (GB), Kingman (GB)–Eartha Kitt (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Chasemore Farm
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Sales History: 525,000gns Tattersalls October Yearling Book 1.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Out of a listed-winning half-sister to Listed Chesham S. winner Arthur Kitt (GB) (Camelot {GB}) who ran third in the G3 Solario S., the G2 Gimcrack S. victor's second dam is G2 Queen Mary S. winner Ceiling Kitty (GB) (Red Clubs {Ire}). One of the leading fancies, and could avenge his sire's runner-up finish in the 2014 edition.
ROYAL SCOTSMAN (IRE), Gleneagles (Ire)–Enrol (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Mrs Fitri Hay
Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock, Ltd.
Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole
Sales History: 125,000gns Tattersalls October Yearling Book 2.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The G2 Richmond S. winner and G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up is out of a multiple stakes-placed granddaughter of the stakes-winning mare Appointed One (Danzig), herself a half-sister to G1 Futurity S. winner Bakharoff (The Minstrel). One of the better prospects, and his sire was responsible for a brace of Italian Guineas winners on the weekend.
SAKHEER (IRE), Zoffany (Ire)–Shortmile Lady (Ire) (Arcano {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: KHK Racing, Ltd.
Breeder: Drumlin Bloodstock
Trainer: Roger Varian
Sales History: 80,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale ; $65,000 RNA, Keeneland September; €550,000 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Already a half-brother to multiple group/graded winner Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass) who ran third in the GI Beverly D. S., the G2 Mill Reef S. hero is from the same family as GI Kentucky Derby-winning filly Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}). Bolted up by six lengths at Haydock and maintained his brilliance at Newbury, but has never been beyond six furlongs.
SILVER KNOTT (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire)–God Given (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire})
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: St Albans Bloodstock, LLP
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Sales History: 725,000gns Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A dual Group 3 winner before running second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Silver Knott is out of Italian Group 1 winner God Given, herself a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner-turned Darley sire Postponed (Ire) (Dubaw {Ire}). His third dam is G1 Moyglare Stud heroine Bianca Nera (GB) (Salse). Already a winner over this trip and surface and he was a whisker behind Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) at Keeneland.
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