The flat turf season moves up several notches this weekend as we’ve the first two of the five English Classics. We get going with the 2000 Guineas on Saturday at Newmarket – a race that trainer Aidan O’Brien has landed a staggering nine times since 1998 and three times in the last four years – can the Ballydoyle maestro make it ten?
Did you know, ALL of the last seventeen 2000 Guineas winners finished in the top three in their last race?
We can look forward to four LIVE ITV races from Newmarket, while the cameras are also at Goodwood to take in two contests.
On a busy Saturday, we’ve also got the final day of the Punchestown Festival in Ireland, plus other domestic cards from Thirsk, Doncaster, Uttoxeter and Hexham.
As always, to help you through the cards we’ve picked some quickfire standout stats and trends that are certainly worth paying attention too.
Plus, you can get more help finding the winner for all this Saturday’s races on our Free Horse Racing Tips page.
1:50 Newmarket: Jockey William Buick has ridden the last two winners of this race, while trainer Charlie Appleby has a 29% record with his older horses at the track and also won this race last year.
2.20 Newmarket: The Michael Dods-trained Mabs Cross won this race last year.
**DOUBLE – Mabs Cross**
2.55 Newmarket: The John Gosden-trained Coronet is two-from-two when dropping into Group Two company.
**DOUBLE – Coronet**
3.35 Newmarket: Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the 2000 Guineas nine times since 1998 and in three of the last four years. More 2000 Guineas trends here
1.35 Goodwood: The Gary Moore-trained Chivers landed this race twelve months ago.
2.05 Goodwood: The Michael Bell yard boasts a 33% record with their four-year-olds or older at the track.
4.50 Thirsk: The Charles Hills has a 43% record (3-from-7) with their three-year-olds at the track.
5.25 Thirsk: The Tim Easterby team have won the last three runnings of this race.
2.10 Uttoxeter: Trainer Dan Skelton has a 35% record with his hurdlers at the track.
3.25 Uttoxeter: Jockey Harry Skelton has a 36% strike-rate when riding over fences at the track.
5.05 Uttoxeter: The Katy Price yard have a 38% record (5-from-13) with their chasers at the track.
3:50 Punchestown: The Willie Mullins yard have won five of the last six runnings, including last year with Benie Des Dieux.
4.25 Punchestown: The Willie Mullins stable have won the last six renewals.
6.20 Doncaster: The Sir Michael Stoute yard have a 38% record (16-from-42) with their three-year-olds at the track.
7.20 Doncaster: Trainer Jeremy Noseda has a cracking 47% record (7-from-15) with his three-year-olds at the track.
Every LIVE Saturday race covered on ITV can be found on our ITV Racing Tips section, with runner-by-runner previews for each contest.