“He's taken it well, he's good,” said Mahon. “Andrew [Balding, trainer] was happy with him when I spoke to him yesterday. He said he was quite tired on Sunday, but he said yesterday morning he was in good form again.

“The ground was very soft, yet on the Friday meeting, it was good to firm. They watered the ground in case the showers missed.

“I stayed the far side of the town and on Friday night, I promise you, there was a monsoon. But he handled the ground, although it wouldn't be his ideal conditions.”

A winner of the G3 Acomb S., G2 Champagne S., and G1 Dewhurst S. in succession at two, Chaldean parted ways with regular jockey Frankie Dettori at the start of the G3 Greenham S. on his intended seasonal debut.

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Forging clear up the rising ground, the G3 Acomb S., G2 Champagne S. and G1 Dewhurst S. hero who had dramatically unseated Dettori at the start of the G3 Greenham S. a fortnight earlier, hit the line strong with 1 3/4 lengths to spare over the Kevin Ryan-trained outsider. Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) was half a length away in third as the 13-8 favourite Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) beat only two rivals home and one of those was the last-placed Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never).

“I can't believe it's happened really–it's mad and I have mixed emotions, I don't know whether to laugh or cry,” Dettori said. “My last Guineas, to win it in front of my home crowd, it's amazing and beyond my wildest dreams.”

Other than when he was beaten on his debut at two and when finishing riderless on this year's introduction, Chaldean has proven as reliable as he is classy and with the benefit of hindsight it is difficult to believe that he started as only the second favourite in a three-runner Champagne in September. Even in the Dewhurst, the chestnut was only joint-favourite alongside the operation's other runner Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}) so being under-rated is a thing that has come with the territory.

With the four preceding races on the straight course giving no indication of any bias, there were no excuses on that score for any of the beaten runners and it was more likely ground conditions that contributed to the downfall of the other favourites. The free-running Little Big Bear did little for his prospects with understandable freshness and while Hi Royal and Oisin Murphy and Chaldean enjoyed the run of the race up front Auguste Rodin, Royal Scotsman and Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) were probably too far adrift by halfway.

From the two pole, each time Frankie got alongside Hi Royal the imposing Ryan runner ducked left and that left Chaldean in the clear and home free. As he stayed on strongly to the line, the race's dubious stayers were only treading water in behind with Auguste Rodin disappointingly disappearing out of sight. In the final analysis, it may be that the winner was the only true top-class miler to act in the ground and so it was a surprise to hear that Andrew Balding had stamina doubts.

“I was a bit worried about the mile in this ground, but what a brilliant ride from Frankie,” the master of Kingsclere said after greeting his second 2000 Guineas winner in four years. “What can't you say about Frankie? Since I've been involved in the sport he's been an omnipresent superstar of the sport and what a fitting way to ride his last 2000 Guineas. He always looked to be travelling comfortably, I was just a bit worried about getting past Oisin because he can get extra lengths out of a horse. It's a mixture of relief and elation, it's a big deal. He might stay 10 furlongs in time, but no further.”

Hi Royal, who was the least-exposed and most under-the-radar TDN Rising Star in the line-up, would have made more of a fight of it had he stayed straight as he channelled the positive energy of his dam Majestic Roi (Street Cry {Ire}) who sprang a 16-1 upset in the 2007 G1 Sun Chariot S. over this course and distance. Jaber Abdullah's racing manager Bruce Raymond said, “That was no surprise, as Kevin Ryan told us in the paddock that he thought the horse could run a big race and that he thought he would handle the ground. Kevin wants to get him home and see where we go next but he could be a Royal Ascot type.”

Oliver Cole is also keen to go to the G1 St James's Palace S. and take on the winner and runner-up with Royal Scotsman. “He's run a massive race to be third, but he was a bit too keen in the early stages,” he said. “He had no problem with the ground, as he goes on anything. It was always the idea to come straight here and hopefully he can improve from this and we can have another crack at the winner at Royal Ascot.”

Aidan O'Brien said of his pair, “It was a non-event for Ryan's horse and then Wayne's horse got badly bumped and just got lit up. The whole thing was a bit of a non-event really. The travelling over is what it is.”

Lordan added of Little Big Bear, “He jumped smart and felt like he wanted to show me his pace. We didn't go mad for the first two furlongs, something caught my heel and it wasn't ideal.”

Pedigree Notes

Providing Frankel's inevitable first 2000 Guineas success, Chaldean is the sixth winner and fifth black-type performer out of Suelita alongside the G2 Mill Reef S. scorer Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). Suelita is kin to the G3 Cornwallis S. runner-up Outer Space (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) and to the dam of Living In The Past (Fr) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), who continues the trend of sprinters in the first two generations with success in the G2 Lowther S.

The third dam is the GII Matchmaker S. winner Horatia (Ire) (Machiavellian), whose leading progeny is the G3 Pinnacle S. scorer and GI E.P. Taylor S.-placed Moment In Time (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) and whose daughter Awohaam (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) produced the G3 Marble Hill S. scorer and G1 Middle Park S. runner-up Castle Star (Ire) (Staspangledbanner {Aus}). In contrast, Horatia is a half to the five-times group-winning stayer Opinion Poll (Ire) (Halling) who Frankie knew well along with another of the family's stars, Markofdistinction (GB) (Known Fact) who provided him with his first Group 1 win in the 1990 Queen Elizabeth II S. Suelita's yearling filly by Kingman (GB) was the 1 million gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale topper after Juddmonte refused to let her go.

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS S.-G1, £500,000, Newmarket, 5-6, 3yo, 8fT, 1:41.64, sf.
1–CHALDEAN (GB), 128, c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Suelita (GB), by Dutch Art (GB)
     2nd Dam: Venoge (Ire), by Green Desert
     3rd Dam: Horatia (Ire), by Machiavellian
(550,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA). O-Juddmonte; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Andrew Balding; J-Frankie Dettori. £283,550. Lifetime Record: 7-5-0-0, $892,361. *1/2 to Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), GSW-Eng; 1/2 to The Broghie Man (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), SW-Ire, SP-Fr, $100,140. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Hi Royal (Ire), 128, c, 3, Kodiac (GB)–Majestic Roi, by Street Cry (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. £107,500.
3–Royal Scotsman (GB), 128, c, 3, Gleneagles (Ire)–Enrol (GB), by Pivotal (GB). (125,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (IRE); T-Paul & Oliver Cole. £53,800.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 3.50, 125.00, 11.00.
Also Ran: Galeron (Ire), Dubai Mile (Ire), Noble Style (GB), Sakheer (Ire), Charyn (Ire), Holloway Boy (GB), Indestructible (Ire), Silver Knott (GB), Auguste Rodin (Ire), Flight Plan (GB), Little Big Bear (Ire).

Chaldean wins the Qipco 2000 Guineas! @FrankieDettori lands the opening Classic of the year in his final season in the saddle in big-race victory for trainer @AndrewBalding2 and @JuddmonteFarms at @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/7WXOehKKG7

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 6, 2023

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Been There…

What is different to most 2000 Guineas of recent times, and this is probably testament to how strong a season 2022 was for the juveniles, is this is very much one for the already-proven performers with barely an unexposed type to be seen. Only four of the line-up have not contested at least two group races and, of those, the aforementioned Sakheer and Noble Style were denied a second pattern-race outing only by training setbacks. When it comes to establishing fitting credentials for this Classic, Juddmonte's Chaldean who has the combined Frankel and Frankie factor is out on his own.

Building a head of steam throughout the perfectly-aligned G1 Dewhurst S. stepping stones of the G3 Acomb S. and G2 Champagne S. over York and Doncaster's level courses, he duly conquered the undulations of this track on Future Champions Day to bring up a treble that would have been beyond a colt with less inherent quality. Yes, he would be an extremely rare Guineas winner with a “U” in his form, having lost Dettori at the start of the G3 Greenham S., but that unfortunate incident was a mere aberration and will serve only as a curious footnote if he masters his peers once again here.

If successful, one of the operation's rare purchases will be providing Andrew Balding with a second renewal in four years with only Aidan O'Brien, Sir Michael Stoute, Saeed bin Suroor and Andre Fabre having achieved that in recent times. The new face of Kingsclere is on his way to matching the kudos enjoyed by his father but of course the emphasis is on Frankie during the Italian's long goodbye tour.

Dettori, whose own father Gianfranco came and conquered here on Bolkonski (Ire) to start a new racing dynasty back in 1975, has the least-complicated tactical conundrum of all as he outlined when offering his insights as an ambassador for World Pool. “The way I see it, the fancied ones are drawn 11-13, so it's not ideal being away from them, but Chaldean is a horse who can go and run his own race,” he said. “He's got plenty of speed, so hopefully he can get away well and be right up there from the off, just like he was in the Dewhurst and the Champagne S. His form is very solid and you know exactly what you're getting with Chaldean–he's bombproof–whereas the others have a bit to prove. It's just a case of whether the others can step up to match or better what he's shown already.”

Bad News Bear?

Supporters of Auguste Rodin, and there are many judged by the way the betting market has moved in recent weeks, will be well-served to cast their minds back to 2002 which was the last time Aidan O'Brien ran two elite performers against each other here. Rock Of Gibraltar's defeat of Hawk Wing will live long in the memory largely due to the quality of the first two, but also because of the tactical nature of the edition with the not-unfamiliar field split playing out so dramatically on that occasion. There should be no repeat of that at least, with Little Big Bear drawn alongside his much-vaunted stablemate and fellow TDN Rising Star, but there is no guarantee that Ryan Moore's pick will be able to peg back what was one of the best 2-year-olds to have emerged since Frankel.

Despite the nature of Little Big Bear's G3 Anglesey S. and G1 Phoenix S. performances, which suggested strongly that a mile would be well within his compass, there was talk of Nunthorpes until his injury cut short his campaign much as it did the yard's comparable past juvenile overlord Fasliyev. Without the proof that runs in the Vincent O'Brien National S. or Dewhurst would have provided, it is probably not far of the mark to state that even those closest to him are not sold on what type of runner he will turn out to be.

As a benchmark of brilliance, of both the permanent and precocious variety, Little Big Bear's scintillating seven-length defeat of the G2 July S. winner Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) is Guineas-winning form in practically every year, even allowing for stamina concerns. Should he use his physicality to pull away Zafonic-style in what the old school used to call “the last 2-year-old race”, nobody can be truly surprised.

Ryan Moore knows both the Rosegreen undergraduates, who he states are “the two best horses in here”, better than anybody and the man with the hardest call offered the big reveal in his Betfair blog. “Little Big Bear clearly has a lot of pace, but I personally think he will stay a mile and that makes him a very dangerous rival to all,” he said. “Auguste Rodin is an exciting prospect for the season, but hopefully for the here and now, too. But would it surprise me if Little Big Bear beat him? Not really.”

One Eye On The Commonwealth…

   A glance at the 2000 Guineas records of winners of the six-furlong G2 Richmond S. and G2 Mill Reef S. offers little statistical hope for Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Sakheer and, while the former did go close in the Dewhurst, there have to be doubts as to how they will cope with a strong-run mile on easy ground. While this renewal looks set to boast an above-average Guineas winner, it is also on the cards that it could contain a Commonwealth Cup winner once the dust has settled and the various teams regroup for Royal Ascot and Epsom.

Sakheer's connections were already in the dark about the mile and, ominously, Friday's lightning storm led to a flag start to the last race. After the double-whammy of rain on already-watered ground, they are understandably anxious. “Ideally we wouldn't want too much more rain,” KHK Racing's racing manager Chris Wall said. “I was a little exasperated to see that Michael Prosser had started to water the track, which seems rather an unnecessary thing to do, given that we have had the wettest spring for 40 years but there we go. The horse couldn't be in better condition and we're looking forward to the day. He's a very talented horse, but we're not sure yet what his best trip might be.”

Tahiyra Faces Big 1000 Guineas Field

Dermot Weld will be one trainer not unhappy to see Friday's rain after he confirmed The Aga Khan's undefeated G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine and TDN Rising Star Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) among a cast of 20 for Sunday's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas. Handed stall 15 for the feature, the half-sister to connections' luminary Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) will be reopposed by the Moyglare runner-up and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) as Ballydoyle's lone representative after another of the stable's leading lights Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is kept back for either ParisLongchamp or The Curragh.

Chris Hayes has the task of trying to provide Weld with a first 1000 Guineas and said, “She looked terribly exciting [in the Moyglare], she seems to have wintered well so I'm looking forward to it. I'm very excited, to get on any favourite in a Classic is rare, for me it's the stuff of dreams so we'll see what we can do. Obviously, like the boss has said, there's always the question if they train on from two to three, but on her home work she appears to have and she's just a pleasure. She'll never get you excited going up the gallops but she turns it on at the races.”

Alongside Never Ending Story, Juddmonte's G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. winner Juliet Sierra (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) was the only other not to be confirmed and Godolphin's decision to run a trio of contenders is one of many indicators that very few are running scared of the Weld filly. This is the biggest assembly since Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. Greeley) mastered 20 rivals in 2007, two years before Saeed bin Suroor enjoyed his last English Classic victory. The trainer has live prospects of ending that drought with TDN Rising Star Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who bids to confirm the form of the Jumeirah Fillies Classic with William Buick's pick of Charlie Appleby's duo, Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal).

Amo Racing's Classic dream lives on through the impressive G3 Nell Gwyn S. winner Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who is nearest the stand's rail in 20 while on the opposite wing is Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen's G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}). She gives Ralph Beckett a strong hand along with Julian Richmond-Watson's unbeaten G3 Fred Darling S. scorer Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in a fascinating encounter which could yet be shaped by the local storm.

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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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What Next For Waipiro?
   Another unexposed colt in the Newmarket S. is the Ed Walker-trained Waipiro (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who looked so assured over this 10-furlong trip and track at the Craven meeting. A half-brother to the Hong Kong star Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), the bay promises to spark pre-Derby excitement at the Upper Lambourn set-up much as English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) did three years ago. “We want to find out sooner or later if he is a horse who could be lining up at Epsom, so really he needs to be winning this in order to do so,” Walker said. “He's got to take another step forwards, he took a big step forwards from his debut and he's got to take another tomorrow.”

Another Hurricane Season In The Offing?
Even if the Newmarket S. does not host a genuine Derby colt, five races in there is the chance to witness one who has already traversed that particular terrain in Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Clearly, the horse who failed to beat a rival in Newbury's G3 John Porter S. is a shadow of the one who bounded out of Epsom's Blue Riband two years ago and completed a not-inconsequential treble of Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger and went close in an Arc. Will cheekpieces focus that racing mind to tune back in with the outstanding physicality? The G2 Jockey Club S., one of Newmarket's most consistently uncompetitive yet undeniably intriguing annual happenings, will tell us.

Charlie Appleby has come to use the two racecourses of the town's Heathland almost as his private domain in recent years and this is another big afternoon, especially with Godolphin's champion 2-year-old of 2021 and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) also in action in the G2 bet365 Mile. Switched from the flooded Sandown and much-changed in make-up from the version that was due to take place a week previously, it is one of two races saved from that fixture and now an ideal launchpad for the colt who looked to have the world at his feet as he went to post for the Saturday Classic 12 months ago. With a pair of colts engaged in the Newmarket S. and the course-and-distance conditions winner Majestic Pride (GB) (Shamardal) in the seven-furlong Listed King Charles II S., this is very much another day at the office for Moulton Paddocks but there is certainly no contempt in this familiarity with this verdant landscape perfectly complemented by the army in royal blue livery.

Ballydoyle Big Guns Drawn Together In Guineas Poser
   As the confirmations for Saturday's G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas were unveiled on Thursday morning, Aidan O'Brien made the only scratching of the race as he took out Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) but more importantly affirmed that there would be no ducking out of an encounter between two of the most talented colts to have raced for the stable in recent times. While the destinies of the TDN Rising Stars Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) are certain to play out independently of the other after the mile Classic, this is where they will both begin their keenly-anticipated second-season odysseys and by an act of strange fortune they were positioned alongside each other in stalls 12 and 13 respectively.

As expected, Ryan Moore has picked the potentially “special” one who comes back to England having fired his salvo the G1 Futurity Trophy in the autumn, while Wayne Lordan takes his longstanding behind-closed-doors link-up with the brilliant 2-year-old master of 2022 Little Big Bear into the open for the first time. Following The King's momentous Coronation on Saturday, talk of Crowning in this sphere will evolve around the lore of Britain's Triple, not achieved by a colt since Nijinsky in 1970. It was notable how enthusiastic O'Brien was for Auguste Rodin's prospects of this daunting feat in his Great British Racing press conference this week.
“Obviously the Triple Crown is a very hard thing to do, but sometime it would be great to do it,” he said of the colt whose pull is so potent it meant that Ryan Moore was remarkably deserted a champion 2-year-old who would have been hot property in most of the preceding renewals. “It is a difficult type of horse to find, because they have to have a lot of class and they have to have pace enough to run in the Guineas. It is really class that those horses have to have. It's pure class and class gives them stamina and gives them speed. We just thought that, at the moment, he fits into that bracket really well.”

What Effect The Draw?
Quite where Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear sit if the race becomes tactical, as it can on the Rowley Mile, remains to be seen and an unclear weather forecast leading up to Saturday does invite the possibility of watering and the prospect of favoured patches of ground. Twelve months ago, much was made of the meeting's bias toward low numbers with Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) upstaging Native Trail as they came from opposite ends of the draw on good ground. There is also the question of where the early pace lies, with Juddmonte's G1 Dewhurst S. hero Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who was so comfortable from the front at two being draw in stall three and Ahmad Al Shaikh's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion) certain to help force the pace in six.
This is a tough Guineas to predict in terms of tactics, but as far as providing a level playing field it is Clerk of the Course Michael Prosser who has the responsibility. “We have just lightly watered the final eight furlongs, which is the quickest part of the course,” he said in his update at noon on Thursday. “The forecast has changed, basically. At this time yesterday, we were forecast rain first thing in the morning and obviously into the afternoon, so that forecast now advises those showers will be coming later. We have put down 4mm to maintain the position. The final eight furlongs is all but done.”

“Even the Saturday forecast has changed and the volumes don't look as significant, although there is a more organised band of rain coming through mid-morning Saturday through to lunchtime,” he added. “What we're being told this morning is that there might be a dry interlude during racing, which will be really helpful if that is how it unfolded.”

Buick Opts For Silver Over Style…
With memories of 12 months ago fresh in the mind, William Buick has had another difficult choice to make in the 2000 Guineas as he bids to atone for missing out on Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). While the lure of the unbeaten TDN Rising Star and G2 Gimcrack S. winner Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is obvious, he has stuck with the G3 Solario S. and G3 Autumn S. winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who will part from the middle stall in seven. “Noble Style is a Gimcrack winner and unbeaten, so he's a high-class horse too, but he's stepping up two furlongs to a mile,” he told QIPCO British Champions Series as he justified his choice of the colt already proven at the trip.

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The colt, who dislodged Frankie Dettori at the start of the G3 Craven S. before completing a circuit of the course, worked “extremely well” on Saturday, Balding noted.

“We will only know on Saturday what we missed out on at Newbury and the benefits of having a run as obviously it would have been far more of a benefit for him to have had a jockey on board and have a proper race,” he said.

“At the same time, it wasn't totally lost as he had to go through the preliminary tests of saddling, walking around the paddock and cantering down to the start, which are the extras that go with a run and not just a gallop at home. Thankfully he didn't go and do another circuit loose. He was fairly sensible.

“I couldn't be happier with him at the moment and Frankie rode him on Saturday and he worked extremely well. It was a very solid piece and his fitness levels are as good as we could hope for in the circumstances.”

Chaldean won the G3 Acomb S., G2 Champagne S., and G1 Dewhurst S. in succession as a juvenile. The Craven was his 3-year-old bow. Dettori, who has won the Guineas three times, will be aboard on Saturday, and the duo face a stiff challenge, especially from Ireland, in the form of the Coolmore partners' Group 1 winners Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

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The first race from Newmarket is set to go at 20:40 p.m. Hong Kong time with the Guineas expected to leave the gate at 23:40 p.m. Final declarations and the barrier draw for the 2000 Guineas Day races will be available the morning of Friday, May 5.

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A winner of four of his six starts, the G1 Dewhurst S. hero is one of two in the one-mile race for Andrew Balding. Second in the Dewhurst, G2 Richmond S. scorer Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will attempt to turn the tables for Mrs. Fitri Hay and trainers Paul and Oliver Cole.

Ahmad Al Shaikh's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion) remains in the race for Charlie Johnston, as do the Godolphin/Charlie Appleby pair of G2 Gimcrack S. winner Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

The Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien field a quintet led by Group 1 scorers Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never). G3 Killavullan S. hero Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) is also signed on, as is G3 2000 Guineas Trial S. winner Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Third behind Auguste Rodin and Tuesday's Listed Weatherbys Digital Solutions Blue Riband Trial hero Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in the Vertem Futurity Trophy, Holloway Boy (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is one of three in the race for Karl Burke. Burke runner Indestructible (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who won the G3 Craven S. over the course-and-distance of the Guineas, will also take part. Group winners Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) hail from the stable of Roger Varian.

There is also still a chance of a royal runner, as the King and Queen Consort's two-for-two Slipofthepen (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has also retained his entry for John and Thady Gosden.

In the fillies' equivalent on Sunday, May 7, 26 nominees have stood their ground, among them Group 1 winners Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), and Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) for trainers Ralph Beckett, Aidan O'Brien, and Dermot Weld, respectively.

Beckett has also entered G3 Fred Darling S. heroine Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}), while Hugo Palmer trains the runner-up in Stenton Glider (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). Juddmonte's Juliet Siera (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), a Group 3 winner, is also part of Beckett's Guineas challenge.

The first and second-place finishers from the G3 Nell Gwyn S. also have entries in Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) for Richard Hannon and Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Charlie Appleby. Saeed bin Suroor's G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. heroine and G1 Cheveley Park S. third Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) has been entered. G2 May Hill S. heroine Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) for trainer Ben Pauling is also part of the fray.

O'Brien is double-fisted in the Guineas, as his G3 1000 Guineas Trial S. victress Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) defeated Kieran Cotter's Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) by 2 1/2 lengths at Leopardstown earlier this month.

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Trained by Charlie Johnston, the 3-year-old was originally pencilled in for the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dante S. at York in mid-May, but connections are weighing the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero's chances in the run-up to the G1 Betfred Derby on June 3.

“We've been having a debate internally all spring really regarding what is the best route for this horse,” said Johnston. “We're pretty confident his optimum trip this year will be a mile and a half plus and you can see in his work there that he's not travelling hard on the bridle behind the other horse. He's a very laid-back horse who is behind the bridle and his last furlong is his best furlong.

“But, having won a Group 1 as a 2-year-old, your route to the Derby is narrowed down quite dramatically. You either have to have to step down in grade or you have to go to the Guineas. From an early point it's been either Guineas-Derby or Dante-Derby. The way they're in the calendar this year running in all three is pretty unrealistic.

“I've spent most of the spring leaning on the side that he should be going Dante-Derby, but Ahmad is always keen to take on a challenge and take the ambitious route–and when you've got a Group 1-winning 2-year-old, the reality is winning the Dante is not going to add anything to this horse's stallion profile, whereas finishing third in the Guineas would be a big asset to him.”

The chestnut won at second asking over a mile at Windsor last August and added an all-weather mile contest at Kempton later that month. Second over the Guineas course and distance in the G2 Royal Lodge S. in September behind Thursday's G3 bet365 Craven S. entry The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), the son of Beach Bunny (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) thrived in the heavy going at Saint-Cloud in his top-level score a month later.

Johnston added, “We're all well aware that this horse is being trained and going to be campaigned as a top-class mile-and-a-half horse, it's just what we do in the early season to get him there.

“I'd love a soft ground Guineas, then he really would be a player because we know he handles testing conditions, and one asset you can never take for granted here is he's run over the course and distance. Danny says you don't even notice the dip on him, he just floats down it and out the other side. The Guineas is not a race you go into as a prep race, but if he was running in many ways it would be a prep race for the Derby.”

Also taking a spin over the course on Wednesday was the Charlie Hills-trained two-for-two Circero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) with Kieran Shoemark at the controls. The Rosehill Racing-owned colt worked in company with stablemate Saratoga Gold (GB) (Mayson {GB}) under Michael Hills, however, his participation in the Newmarket Classic is not definite. He won both his Newbury debut last autumn, and a Wolverhampton all-weather affair on Mar. 30.

“He worked well and had a nice little blow afterwards as well actually, so it was just what we wanted I think,” said Hills. “He's obviously had two starts and two wins and we're just trying to feel our way really and see exactly where we are and find out a bit more about him. Today he behaved great, had a nice bit of work and did what we asked him.

“We didn't really want to run in a trial and put three quick races into him. It's going to be a long season, so we'll just try to keep him as fresh as we can.

“We'll see how the week unfolds with the trials and make a decision next week. There is a conditions race at Goodwood around the same weekend as the Guineas, so that could be another route to take, but I'm pretty open-minded at the moment.

“He's a nice horse and there's only one Guineas, isn't there? If we decide against it you've got Goodwood and the Dante at York and the [G3] Hampton Court [S.] at Royal Ascot, something like that. I think I could see him stepping him up in trip later in the year.”

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Last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland when she was fourth to Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), the bay filly was a debut winner at Doncaster in July and followed that with a victory in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. at Newmarket in October. Fahey will have her skip the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas in favour of middle distances this summer, as she looks bred to stay in excess of a mile.

“I'm very pleased with her at the moment, she's wintered very well and she's going nicely,” said Fahey. “I was a little bit frustrated at the Breeders' Cup that she didn't bounce and run and get the place we wanted her to be in, but that's racing. It was only the third run of her life and she's bred to be a better 3-year-old. I was pleased we learned a bit more about her. I'm going to skip the Guineas and all that. I'm going to step her up to a mile and a quarter and start her off in something like the Musidora. I think I'd take her straight there, I just haven't rushed her this year and let her mature, which she has done, and we'll have a second-half of the season campaign.”

Another 3-year-old filly in the yard who will head for a Guineas trial is Barefoot Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), winner of the G3 Firth of Clyde S. and who was fourth in Redcar's Two Year Old Trophy under a penalty.

“She was another who didn't bounce and race that day at Redcar, but we'll run her in a Guineas trial and see what happens,” said Fahey. “She's in both Guineas and we'll play it by ear after her trial to see what we want to do. It will be Newmarket or Newbury for a trial.”

Fahey hit the bullseye at Royal Ascot last season with The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), a 50-1 winner of the G2 Norfolk S., but the juvenile colt was last behind Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the G1 Prix Morny S. at Deauville in late August.

“The Ridler is good and he'll start off in the [G3] Greenham [S.] and see where we go after that,” said Fahey. “He just didn't come back as I'd have liked after France, but he's done extremely well over the winter, so we're still undecided whether he's a sprinter or whether we can stretch him out.”

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