Four Aidan O’Brien stars to look forward to next weekend at Newmarket

The Coronation Cup and Qipco 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas take centre stage during racing’s return at Newmarket next week and Aidan O’Brien looks likely to have a powerful team on show. The Racing Post’s Mark Boylan highlights four of his brightest stars that look set to shine in the opening three Group 1 contests of the year…

Arizona

Qipco 2,000 Guineas, Saturday June 6

Arguably the biggest threat to Pinatubo, last season’s impressive Coventry Stakes hero will bid to get the better of the Godolphin favourite at the third attempt, having chased him home at the Curragh and Newmarket as a two-year-old.

The son of star sprinter No Nay Never finished off well when running over the Guineas distance at the Breeders’ Cup last November and O’Brien says he has always viewed the battle-hardened colt as one who wouldn’t have any stamina issues for a test such as this.

Love

Qipco 1,000 Guineas, Sunday June 7

The 2019 Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine looks set to lead the line for Ballydoyle in the opening fillies’ Classic of the campaign, considered a general 10-1 second-favourite to reverse last year’s Bet365 Fillies’ Mile form with market leader Quadrilateral.

O’Brien also appears to have a live contender in the shape of unexposed filly Peaceful, but Love appears to have the strongest proven form in comparison to her stablemates here.

Anthony Van Dyck

Coronation Cup, Friday June 5

The Investec Derby hero is back for more as a four-year-old and could provide his legendary handler with an incredible ninth win in the Coronation Cup, which has been rerouted to Newmarket from Epsom during the coronavirus pandemic.

The master of Ballydoyle stressed that plans are fluid in relation to which horses he runs in the 1m4f contest, but last season’s Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf third would be an intriguing contender if taking his chance.

Sir Dragonet

Coronation Cup, Friday June 5

A runaway winner of last year’s Chester Vase before finishing within a length of Anthony Van Dyck in the Investec Derby at Epsom, the talented son of Camelot has remained in training as a four-year-old and could have a big campaign in store.

Should O’Brien opt to allow Sir Dragonet to line up in the first Group 1 of the revised British calendar, he could have an edge over his rivals after already getting a run under his girth when second in the Listed Devoy Stakes at Naas on the opening day of the Irish Flat season at Naas.

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