Mums the word in Guineas

RICHARD HANNON can uncork yet another Classic celebration with MUMS

TIPPLE (3.35, nap) in today’s QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

With the unbeaten odds-on favourite Pinatubo in the field, many will think the colt trained by Hannon (right) is destined for a slice of the place money.

But never underestimate a Hannon runner in a Classic.

Six years ago in the 2,000 Guineas, the Wiltshire trainer pulled off a surprise with 40-1 shot Night Of Thunder.

Mums Tipple, best priced at an attractive 36-1 with Betfair, resembled Frankel, winner of the 2011 2,000 Guineas, when bolting home in August by 11 lengths at York.

The wheels fell off on his latest outing, seventh to Earthlight at Newmarket in September, but there were valid excuses as he was found to be lame.

His earlier success at Ascot in July reads exceptionally well as the second home, Molatham, beatWichita at Doncaster – and

Wichita went on to finish third to Pinatubo at Newmarket. Pinatubo has the accolade as the highest-rated juvenile last year but with six runs under his belt it suggests he was a precocious individual and won’t improve as a three-year-old. Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy make a strong case for Kameko but I have yet to be convinced. Earlier on the card Derby hope WALDKONIG (3.00) can book his ticket for Epsom by taking the Newmarket Stakes.

This half-brother to the Arc hero Waldgeist was an impressive winner on his only start atWolverhampton.

MAGIC LILY (2.25) has the superior class to give weight to her rivals in the Dahlia Stakes, while the drop in distance should not inconvenience FAR

ABOVE (1.50) in the Palace House Stakes, a Listed winner over six furlongs at Deauville.

At Newcastle, John Gosden can continue his magnificent record with THIRD KINGDOM

(12.55), DAARIK (2.05, trb), ROYAL LINE (2.40, nb) and PALACE PIER (3.15).