What are your tips when it comes to finding a 2000 Guineas winner? This first Classic of the year is set to get everyone hot under the collar and whilst some still resort to selecting their mount from their colours and pick-sticking, an even larger section of punters select their runner according to key trends. Are you a trend follower? If so which pieces of data do you find to be the most reliable when it comes to throwing up 2000 Guineas winners? This is a compilation of the most frequently discussed and utilised 2000 Guineas trends.
Remember to take a look at our 2000 Guineas betting tips here. This Newmarket Classic is slated to go off at 3:45 on Saturday 2nd May.
Connections
Studying the list of the previous winners’ connections highlights the importance of experience when fielding a contender for the 2000 Guineas. Just by looking over this list of formerly victorious trainers, owners and jockeys, you will see names repeated – the strike-rate of former winners being excellent.
Four of the last 10 winners have been owned by either Michael Tabor or John and Sue Magnier or a combination of the three. Indeed the latter is the race’s leading owner having been connected to seven of the triumphant charges. Similarly, both of the last two successful runners have been in some way involved with the Godolphin stable.
Kieren Fallon was the last jockey to ride back-to-back victors, he was aboard Footstepsinthesand back in 2005 and George Washington in 2006. Such a feat is in no way uncommon, Fallon did the same thing in 2000 and 2001 (King’s Best, Golan) whilst Mick Kinane recorded back-to-back victories in 1997 and 1998 (Entrepreneur, King Of Kings).
What’s more, the successes of Footstepsinthesand and George Washington saw Aiden O’Brien saddle back-to-back winners, the handler having picked up four of the last 10 2000 Guineas renewals. He also found success in 1998 with King Of Kings and in 2002 with Rock Of Gibraltar. Sir Michael Stoute also earned successive victories, he being responsible for both King’s Best and Golan.
Will you be giving more consideration to those charges with previously triumphant connections?
Favouritism
Whilst Night Of Thunder was a 40/1 outsider when picking up the title last year, consistent favourite backers will have experienced a certain degree of joy in the 2000 Guineas. Indeed Richard Hannon’s charge’s victory last season ended a run of three consecutive winning market leaders. The first of these being Frankel (1/2) in 2011, he being followed by Camelot (15/8) in 2012 and Dawn Approach (11/8) the year before last.
You will also remember that last year the 6/4 favourite Kingman was just half-a-length shy of securing top honours for the John Gosden team. Indeed, the starting price favourite has finished in the top two in every renewal bar one since 2008. The exception to this rule was St Nicholas Abbey’s disappointing sixth placed finish back in 2010.The evens market leader finished three-and-a-half lengths shy of 33/1 winner Makfi.
Could all the signs be good for Ante Post favourite Gleneagles then? Will he enter your thoughts at 3/1?
On The Track
Finally, seven of the last 10 winners had found success on their last previous ride, whilst five of these 10 triumphant horses were unbeaten in their careers!
How much stress will you place on this?
What’s your secret to finding the winner of the 2000 Guineas? Let us know!