2000 Guineas Guide 2021

The market for the first of this seasons classics is unsurprisingly headed by one of the three A P O’Brien representatives, Wembley, with the trainer boasting four wins from the last six renewals of this race. 

Wembley has seen a steady flow of backing in the ante-post markets ahead of the contest, cutting from the 6/1 available at the start of the week. 

He went close twice last season with second placed finishes at Group One level in the National  and Dewhurst stakes but is taken to get his head in front this time around after progressing during his six months off the track. 

O’Brien is quoted to of been very happy with his physical progression over the winter, with plenty of speed in his work, suitable to be taken straight into the race without the need for a preparation run.

He’s also the only runner sired by Galileo in the race, the leading sire in the UK & Ireland for the past 11 years, and record holder for being the most successful source of Group One winners in thoroughbred history. 

Ryan Moore is employed for the ride, twice winner of this race in 2015 & 2017, both wins coming on board A P O’Brien trained runners. 

It’s father against son at the top of the market as Aidan’s son Joseph is represented by the smart Thunder Moon. 

Joseph blamed the draw for his third placed finish in the Dewhurst by which he ran home 1 3/4 lengths behind runner-up and re-opposing rival Wembley upon softer ground than Thunder Moon would of liked. 

Prior to that run he was deadly in the National Stakes and beat Wembley by 1 1/2 lengths at Curragh on good ground, setting the stage for an epic trilogy at Newmarket. 

Like Wembley, Joseph O’Brien has opted against a freshener in a trial run ahead of the race and makes his reappearance on the back of a six month break. 

It will be very exciting to see the progressions made over the winter and just how far he can go this season. 

Mutasaabeq is the sole entrant here for trainer Charlie Hills and was ultra impressive on his reappearance here at Newmarket 18 days ago. 

He took a keen hold, virtually making all from the front before quickening clear to win by an eventual six length margin, making him two from two, with both victories coming here at the Suffolk venue. 

His dam, Ghanaati, was also a 1000 Guineas winner for Charles’ brother Richard Hills giving both trainer and horse a lot to live up to. 

He has been impressive thus far, however this is a big step up in class and this will be much tougher than his prior runs, but having been supplemented for the event, the yard must be bullish. 

Battleground is the second A P O’Brien horse on the card and boasts strong form having won the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. 

A trip stateside followed, for a run in the Grade One Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland, resulting in a runner up finish, three lengths behind Michael Maker’s, Fire At Will.

O'Brien reports good signs from winter training, with Battleground filling out his already large frame and working very easily at home. 

Frankie Dettori is equipped on board, partnering the horse for the first time, as usual rider Ryan Moore takes it up on the favourite. 

Master Of The Seas is one of three Charlie Appleby entrants in the race and was impressive last time out in the Group Three Bet365 Craven Stakes, showing some real signs of a potential classic winner after overcoming adversity to win.

Usual jock William Buick was taken aback by the run, very impressed by the manner he hit the rising ground out of the Newmarket dip, throwing a real spanner into the works about whom the most likely, if any, Godolphin winner may be. 

For his success, Master of The Seas saw his antepost odds half from the 16/1 odds previously available and is now tightly priced in the market alongside Appleby stablemate, One Ruler. 

He raced keenly in the National Stakes and in Meydan prior to the run and the hood looked to do the trick last time out in getting the runner to settle, he can improve once more now equipped.

He’ll be sure to benefit from a drying, quicker surface and should pose a threat to the O’Brien runners. 

One Ruler is the second of the three Charlie Appleby, Godolphin runners and comes here on the back of a six month break. 

He beat re-opposing rival and A P O’Brien entry, Van Gogh in a Group Three by 1 3/4 lengths in October and he seems to be fairly versatile ground wise despite running his best races over testing ground.

Despite this, Appleby believes One Ruler at his best over an extended 10 furlongs so may be exposed to the natural speed possessed by some of his rivals today.

Van Gogh

Van Gogh, the third of the A P O’Brien entries comes here boasting a Grade one victory thanks to an impressive four length success in France upon heavy conditions.

Prior to this he was beaten by 1 1/2 lengths by One Ruler over C&D and has now been off for six months. 

Aidan O’Brien does however appear excited about him thanks to his excellent work over the winter and growth into a big powerful horse.

His ability to act in the mud does signify that he will easily stay further but despite this may still have the pace to be competitive here. 

All in all, he rounds off a very appealing trio from the AP O’Brien yard.

The Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning combination won this race in 2013 with Dawn Approach. 

They cross the Irish Sea represented by Poetic Flare who looked good when winning a 2000 Guineas trial stakes over 7f at Leopardstown. 

He’s won over 5f in the past so clearly posses’ natural speed and last time out proved his versatility over quicker ground, when staying on well to the line signifying 8f should be no issue. 

He’s already been cut from the 33/1 available earlier in the week and looks to have potential to be involved here.

Richard Hannon won this race in 2014 with Night of Thunder and sends just a single runner in the form of Chindit.

Chindit comes here boasting listed, Group Three and Group Two success’ all over 7f trips. He finished 9th in the Dewhurst Stakes behind a number of today’s rivals and today tackles 8f for the first time. 

He kept on well when winning on his comeback run 13 days ago and can look to build on that here on his preferred quicker surface. 

Irish raider Lucky Vega represents Jessica Harrington and comes here having most recently finished a close half length second behind Supremacy at Newmarket over 6f in a Group One affair.

He clearly possess’ lots of natural speed with his best running coming over the 6f trip, however only managed fifth, one length behind Wembley on his only attempt over 7f, despite going off favourite. 

Obviously very pacy but has it all to prove now upped further to 8f.

Roger Varian's yard are in great form currently and his yard appears to be in good order ahead of an attempt at what would be his first win in the 2000 Guineas. 

He’s is represented here by Legion Of Honour who finished a half length second behind a John & Thady Gosden runner on his most recent outing in a listed race on the all weather. 

He’s relatively unexposed with just the three races to his name and should improve for the switch back to turf.

Despite this, he doesn’t look to have the existing form quite up to the standards of his rivals and may struggle to make an impact. 

The third Appleby and Godolphin runner is Naval Crown who most recently finished a neck second behind The Queens horse Tactical in a listed race at Newmarket over 7f.

Prior to that run he won in a listed race in Dubai over 8f beating stablemate and re-opposing runner Master Of The Seas. 

William Buick does opt to stick with Master Of The Seas today however signifying he believes that he should have the beating of him despite their last meeting. 

His current price of 50/1 also looks to be done accordingly.

Andrew Balding won this race with Kameko last year and brings with him Mystery Smiles to defend the yards crown. 

Mystery Smiles managed third last time out. 3 3/4 lengths behind Master Of The Seas at Newmarket on his first attempt over the 8f distance.

He’s done the majority of running over 6f, placing in a Group Two race so clearly has speed on his side.

He’ll need to make a huge step forward on his last run to be involved here though. 

Ralph Beckett comes here in top form with numerous winners recently with his yard in good order ahead of the race. 

He is represented by long shot, Devilawa who will need to improve on last time outs 5 1/2 length beating by re-opposing rival Master Of The Seas. 

He’s clearly highly rated having been shipped to the USA before finishing eighth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Grade One race, however only managed eighth in the race and has struggled now on both attempts at today’s distance.

Won over 6f so clearly has the natural speed but looks vulnerable back at 8f once more.

Hollie Doyle rides here for Jane Chappell-Hyam on board big outsider Albadri.

He finished last of six in a Class Two race last time out at Kempton and will need to improve vastly back on turf if to have any chance here.

Looks to be out of his depth.