15:35
Newmarket
Odds correct as of 10:04am 01st May
There’s a little something for every racing fan on offer this weekend and the main event is the 2000 Guineas, which takes place at Newmarket on Saturday. National Hunt fans are being treated to Grade 1 action, as the Punchestown Festival comes to a conclusion.
Willie Mullins has won the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle six times in the last nine years and we’ve selected a 20/1 outsider for the 2000 Guineas. Three Newmarket runners also have excellent course records to consider. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Alparslan (16/1, bet365) was a smart juvenile last term and he backed up his impressive victory on debut by taking a valuable sales race at the Curragh in September. He was a touch too keen when sixth in the Dewhurst and his victory over Zavateri in the Greenham suggests he has improved this year.
The Champion Four Year Old Hurdle has been farmed by Willie Mullins in recent years. The legendary trainer has won six of the last nine renewals and is well set to win it yet again. He trains no fewer than nine of the 13 runners, including Triumph Hurdle winner Apolon De Charnie.
That makes him the most obvious candidate but Proactif is a very smart hurdler too and he managed to get the better of Apolon De Charnie in France, whilst Harry Cobden takes the ride here. There’s not a huge amount between him and Macho Man on the form of their latest run at Fairyhouse.
Double Rush is unbeaten in two starts here at Newmarket and the four-year-old won a decent race over course and distance last April. He made his seasonal debut at Newmarket’s last meeting and produced an excellent display to win by almost five lengths. A 5lb penalty is unlikely to make much difference.
William Haggas’ Bullet Point has to carry top weight here but the five-year-olds unblemished course record is a big positive. Bolting up in a mile handicap at this meeting last year, the slightly longer trip shouldn’t be a problem and he’s entitled to be in the mix once again.
Rumstar has only had two starts at Newmarket and both have resulted in Group 3 successes over this trip. Jonathan Portman’s six-year-old won this very race first time out last season and is therefore likely to make his presence felt this time around.
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