GO GO GUSTAV
O’Brien’s 2000 Guineas tilt
GUSTAV KLIMT is top-priced 5-2 favourite to claim today’s 2000 Guineas (3.35) at Newmarket – and give Aidan O’Brien his ninth victory in the first classic of the season.
The son of Galileo was the winner of the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on heavy ground last month and is expected to handle the step up to a mile with aplomb. He is a worthy favourite.
But we have seen money for others, none more so than stablemate Saxon Warrior who was described by his trainer as ‘a monster’ and 4-1 is a big price for the former antepost favourite.
Elarqam, the best bred in the field, is available at 11-2 but that wont last long if latest gallop reports are anything to go by.
Rajasinghe, a winner in the Coventry, is our biggest loser on the book and we laid a sizeable bet at 50-1 on Monday which cut his odds to 40-1.
Roaring Lion was a disappointing jolly in the Craven last time behind the reopposing Masar.
But that form could be reversed with the emphasis on stamina this time and John Gosden’s runner should not be underestimated at 14-1.
We have kept Masar on side after his Craven success and slashed his odds to 5-1 from 25-1.
Expert Eye cannot be backed with any confidence at 9-1 but the fact Sir Michael Stoute is allowing him his chance must be a tip in itself.
Havana Grey brings the strongest form into the Palace House (2.20) and receives plenty of weight so 9-4 appears very generous odds.
In the Spring Lodge Stakes (1.50), Oasis Charm has been cut to 11-1 from 16-1 as support gains momentum for Charlie Appleby’s charge.
After a Wednesday workout and being supplemented, William Buick has opted to partner Soliloquy in the 1000 Guineas tomorrow (3.35) and with the fast ground in her favour, Godolphin’s runner bids to become the first Nell Gwyn heroine to follow up in the Classic since Speciosa in 2006.
Wild Illusion, representing the same connections, is no stable second string and has been foolishly overlooked at 7-1.
If Laurens was trained by a more fashionable handler, her odds of 17-2 would be much shorter.
Unibet ambassador Richard Hannon saddles Anna Nerium (and Billesdon Brook) and her trainer is sweet on her chances at 14-1 in his exclusive online Unibet blog.
Dan’s Dream is our biggest liability and her odds have shortened into 14-1 from 25-1 after Mick Channon’s bullish remarks earlier this week.