News Roundup 07/05/2018

The flat season is well underway now, with the first two Classics of the season run at the weekend. We had a winning NAP both Saturday and Sunday, with 25/1, 18/1 and 16/1 winners amongst others on our horse racing tips. A busy week coming up, with the three day Chester meeting live on ITV4, we already have some antepost looks for the major races on our ITV Racing Tips page.

Saxon Still Unbeaten

The 2000 Guineas went to the powerhouse of Ballydoyle, an incredible 300th Group 1 triumph for maestro Aidan O’Brien. Middle distances will be much more to the liking of the son of Deep Impact in time, so it’s no surprise to see him odds-on in places for the Derby now. A shot at the Triple Crown is the long-term target, aiming to be the first since Nijinsky accomplished the feat in 1970!

Billesdon Shock

In stark contrast to the boys, the 1000 Guineas saw the longest priced winner in the history of the race, as Richard Hannon and Sean Levey combined for a 66/1 shocker. Seemingly well beaten in the Nell Gwyn, she came on massively for her first run of the season. Given that she was the only one to make significant ground from the back, there was no fluke about it. It’ll be interesting to see where she goes next.

Gosden Hits The Right Notes

One of the biggest eyecatchers of the season was Lah Ti Dar on her Newbury debut, She backed up the impression she made there in no uncertain terms in the Pretty Polly on Sunday afternoon, shooting to the head of the Oaks market in the process. Out of a triple Group 1 winner and a full sister to a Group 1 third, she has all the tools to win a Classic.

Justify Justifies Support

With muscles on his muscles, Justify is a monster to look at. He ended the ‘Curse of Apollo’ as the first horse to win a Kentucky Derby without running as a juvenile since Apollo in 1882! Given how lightly raced he is, there has to be a huge chance of him having further improvement in the tank, a scary thought for his peers in North America.

Defoe Scores Again

It took him a little while to get rolling, but upon finding his stride there was only going to be one winner of the Jockey Club Stakes on Saturday. 2/2 on the season and beaten just once in his last seven, Roger Varian’s son of Dalakhani may next be seen in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, but his trainer afterwards let slip his dream for the horse, “We’d love to consider the Arc.”

Mabs Crosses All The Right Boxes

The Michael Dods yard has made a slow start to the season but those troubles were swiftly put aside on Saturday. Dods is no stranger to having quick fillies in the yard, his pair of angels, Mecca’s and Easton won plenty of black type for the stable in recent years. Mabs Cross has only had eight starts in her life and is in the right hands to continue her progression. The King’s Stand at Royal Ascot looks a natural stepping stone for her.

Fontwell Next Up

Twelve meetings make up the sponsorship profile of myracing in 2018, with successful days at Hereford and Wolverhampton safely in the bag, our attention turns to Fontwell on Wednesday evening. The quirky figure of eight chase track makes the Sussex venue unique and with the weather set fair, it should be a big crowd for the meeting after work. Warren Greatrex spoke to myracing in the lead up to the card with his thoughts on his runners.

Photo courtesy of Racing Post/Edward Whitaker