KINGMAN TO RULE IN THE GUINEAS
KINGMAN (Newmarket, 3.50) can dismiss concerns over ground conditions and lift today’s vintage renewal of the 2,000 Guineas. Connections are reported to be perturbed by the likelihood of fast ground at Headquarters for the unbeaten son of Invincible Spirit, but there should be no excuses for John Gosden’s charge who shot to favouritism for the first Classic of the season after destroying a good field in the Greenham Stakes. Admittedly, conditions were on the easy side that day, but Kingman coped with fast ground well at Sandown last summer and the time of his Newbury romp makes him look hard to beat today. Stall one is not ideal, but The Grey Gatsby is drawn alongside and usually likes to race prominently so should give the selection a good lead. Hype-horse Australia is hard to fancy on his racecourse performances, but is clearly an exceptional horse judged on the reports of his home work. However, he is short enough in the market for what he has achieved, so Toormore and War Command are preferred for those looking beyond the favourite in trying to land today’s bumper Scoop6 pool which could potentially land one lucky winner a £5million prize. Tomorrow’s 1,000 Guineas looks as confusing as ever, but MISS FRANCE (Newmarket, 3.50) could hand Andre Fabre his first victory in the race. Last season’s Oh So Sharp Stakes heroine shaped with promise in her French trial and should relish the return to a mile and better ground.