Native Trail looks logicial choice to win 2,000 Guineas

THE 2,000 Guineas betting is dominated by three horses. Godolphin’s Native Trail (evens) has had an old-fashioned preparation; four outings as a juvenile and one this year, all victorious. He’s won over course and distance, and assuming Newmarket haven’t let the ground get rock hard the going will be all right. The Charlie Appleby stable continues in great form. He is the logical choice.

Stablemate Coroebus (4/1) has done little wrong, his only reverse being a last-stride defeat in the Royal Lodge, but on the book his form does not quite match up to that of the favourite. Luxembourg (5/1) represents Ballydoyle. He proved he stayed a mile as early as last July, and though he seems more of a Derby type he might be good enough to win a Guineas.

Of those at longer odds, Royal Patronage is overpriced at 33/1. He was struck into during his final outing of 2021 and that run can be ignored. He had good form last year; he was the only horse to beat Coroebus, and yet there are 28 points difference in their odds. He could finish in the first four.

Elsewhere tomorrow, The Queen has a runner in the first at Goodwood, a three-year-old filly called Distant Light. She won last time out in a manner suggesting a seven pound increase shouldn’t stop her.

In the Thirsk Hunt Cup watch out for Astro King, who led the field home in last year’s Royal Ascot’s Hunt Cup on the far side of the course. Unfortunately one finished ahead of him on the stands side. Kept in training as a five-year-old colt, Sir Michael Stoute must think there is more improvement in him.

The 1,000 Guineas on Sunday is very open and it’s hard to choose between Aidan O’Brien’s pair Tenebrism and Tuesday. The French have two entries, Zellie and Malavath, who were first and second at Deauville three weeks ago over seven furlongs on heavy going. It’s notable that they are considering Newmarket’s mile on good or fast ground. There’s nothing to choose between this pair too. Malavath was second at the Breeders Cup on firm going, whereas Zellie is trained by Andre Fabre, a recommendation in itself, and she gets the vote.

Jeff Smith, the owner of Lochsong, Persian Punch and countless other good horses, is a director of Salisbury racecourse. His Spirit Mixer is entered there on Sunday in the City Bowl at 2.40. The local Corporation funded the race in 1654 and, more than likely, before then. And it still does! It is the oldest race run continuously and still contested on a proper racecourse.