Guineas Festival Betting Tips
It’s 2,000 Guineas day at Newmarket on Saturday and there is a belting nine-race card for punters to get stuck into on the Rowley Mile.
We provide a selection for every race on Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas card at Newmarket, including the big one at 3.35, as well as looking at Sunday's feature.
Saturday 1.10 - Ellen Chaloner Stakes (Listed, 6f)
Unequal Love landed the Ellen Chaloner Stakes in good style last season and holds a class edge in her repeat bid for William Haggas. She progressed throughout her four-year-old season, landing the Wokingham at Royal Ascot before placing in the Group 1 Sprint Cup. It looks significant that her top connections have kept her in training at five and she’ll presumably be titled towards the top sprints later in the campaign.
Selection: Unequal Love
Saturday 1.45 - Handicap (6f)
Inishfallen failed to stay a mile in the Spring Cup at Newbury last time and will be suited by this return to sprinting in the 6f handicap. He still fared best of those who forced a strong pace there and he is better judged on his gallant runner-up finish at Yarmouth on his final start at three off 1lb lower. He’s always been a talented horse (finished a close second in the Solario as a juvenile) and will appreciate conditions on the Rowley Mile.
Selection: Inishfallen
Saturday 2.20 - Suffolk Stakes (1m1f)
Fox Legacy is the type of horse Andrew Balding should do well with this season and he can make a winning debut for the yard in the Suffolk Stakes. The son of Lope De Vega has been gelded in the off-season and emerged as a handicapper to follow when hacking up by 12 lengths at Salisbury last August. The form of his fourth on his final start at Southwell when he didn’t seem to stay 1m4f is reading excellently and this looks a nice spot for him.
Selection: Fox Legacy
Saturday 2.55 - Palace House Stakes (Group 3, 5f)
Washington Heights ran some big races in Group 1 sprints over 5f last season and has untapped potential at the minimum trip. He was all out to hold on over 6f on his previous Newmarket run in the 2024 Abernant Stakes, but that was the second time he’s run a career-best at the course, and a promising effort on his return in Qatar may give him a fitness edge over the cluster of returning sprinters he faces.
Selection: Washington Heights
Saturday 3.35 - 2,000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1, 1m)
The value in the 2,000 Guineas lies with Scorthy Champ, who is arguably the only horse among the top wave of runners in the betting who seems destined to be a miler in the long-term. The form of Scorthy Champ’s National Stakes success is strong and he won that despite making up his ground quickly from the rear and idling when in front. Joseph O’Brien is a superb target trainer and the son of Mehmas can take an open running.
Selection: Scorthy Champ
Saturday 4.05 - Handicap (1m4f)
The unexposed French Master represents top connections and has a stellar pedigree, so could be the answer to the 1m4f handicap off an opening mark of 95. The John and Thady Gosden-trained brother to the smart Mohaafeth put in a splendid performance on his final run to qualify for a mark at Kempton in October and could have Group targets on his agenda later in the season.
Selection: French Master
Saturday 4.40 - Handicap (6f)
The form of Invinctus Gold’s recent third at the Craven meeting looks strong and he can go two places better in the 6f handicap. He was conceding weight to two promising Charlie Hills sprinters while pulling four lengths clear of the fourth for a race run in a much quicker time than the Abernant Stakes later on that card. He is dangerously treated off the same mark.
Selection: Invictus Gold
Saturday 5.15 - Handicap (7f)
David Menuisier and Ryan Moore have a good record when teaming up and they can combine to winning effect with Rockin’ The Boat in the 7f handicap. She gets in off a workable opening mark, having bumped into Group-quality fillies on each of her three starts in maidens. She also deserves marking up for her previous start as she won her group of five and had no chance from her draw.
Selection: Rockin’ The Boat
Saturday 5.50 - Handicap (1m)
Crack Shot landed this mile handicap last season and has the tools to double up. Strong in the market at Kempton last month on his stable debut for Daniel and Claire Kubler, he showed up well for a long way while shaping as if the run was needed, and better is expected with William Buick a positive booking in the saddle. The Kublers excel with this type of horse and he is well treated.
Selection: Crack Shot
Sunday 3.35 - Newmarket 1,000 Guineas (Group 1, 1m)
Chantilly Lace may be worth chancing at big odds. She’s only had one run so far but she showed a really good attitude to win on testing ground and that form has worked out well since. She looks capable of outrunning her odds for a trainer that excels with his fillies.
Selection: Chantilly Lace