TIME TO WAGE WAR
SAXON Warrior and Gustav Klimt are likely to represent Aidan O’Brien in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.
O’Brien is hoping to win the race for the ninth time and it will be interesting to see which Ryan Moore opts to ride.
Saxon Warrior won the Racing Post Trophy last autumn. Gustav Klimt took a 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on his reappearance. Moore was in the saddle on both occasions.
The home challenge is headed by Elarqam, a colt by Frankel out of 1,000 Guineas winner Attraction. He won both his starts last season in fast times and looks an exciting prospect.
Ante-post favourite Happily is one of 18 fillies still in the Qipco 1000 Guineas on Sunday.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly won four of her seven juvenile starts, including Group One triumphs at the Curragh and at Chantilly.
She disappointed on her last start at the Breeders’ Cup, but is the general 5-2 market leader to provide O’Brien with a fifth victory in the first fillies’ Classic of the campaign.
The Ballydoyle maestro has whittled his team down to five, with Bye Bye Baby, I Can Fly, Sarrocchi and Sizzling his other contenders. September is a notable absentee.
Impressive
Charlie Appleby has left in Group One-winning filly Wild Illusion and has supplemented impressive Nell Gwyn heroine Soliloquy at a cost of £30,000.
The Fred Darling winner Dan’s Dream, trained by Mick Channon, has also been added to the field. ¬LABROKES’ ODDS – 2,000 Guineas:
2 Gustav Klimt, 5 Masar, Elarqam, 11-2 Saxon Warrior, 11 Without Parole, 14 Roaring Lion, 14 Expert Eye, 16 US Navy Flag, 20 others.
1,000 Guineas: 5-2 Happily, 7 I Can Fly,
7 Wild Illusion, 8 Soliloquy, 9 Laurens,
14 Anna Nerium, 14 Altyn Orda, 16 Dan’s Dream, 25 others.