Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, shares her thoughts on the six mounts she will ride at Newmarket on Saturday and offers a preview of the weekend’s Classic races, as well as a detailed look at the Trials Day at Ascot on Friday. Among the six rides on my Betfred 2000 Guineas card, the most intriguing is a partnership with an interesting filly from the Archie Watson stable in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes.
She starts at a very light 1.10 and represents a classic "big‑price" ride that could turn into a memorable win. That filly is PARIS BABE (1.10). She has a lot to prove at the assigned weight, but she impressed on her first start in the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday.
She travelled strongly, almost catching the winner, and only fell short in the final furlong. A former winner in France under trainer Gavin Hernon, she should relish the step back to six furlongs.
With the sunshine finally breaking through, she looks healthy and her coat is glossy, indicating she is in good condition. Her official rating of 89 suggests there is still room for improvement, but I am confident she can produce another solid effort. The overall field for the day is considerably stronger than last year.
The top‑rated horse is Group winner FLORA OF BERMUDA, who carries a rating of 111, followed by proven Pattern performer ROSY AFFAIR, both of whom are making their seasonal re‑appearances and will add depth to the contest. Another notable entry is EL BODON, priced at 1.45 in the Class Two Betfred Handicap. He is a classy performer on a good day and his résumé includes a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old, a ride taken by my husband Tom on a Marquand mount. Although his most recent run in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his usual standard, he has shown his quality with back‑to‑back victories at Kempton over the winter for trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam.
The horse that many will be keeping an eye on is Andrew Balding’s likely favourite, DOUBLE RUSH. I first noticed him during the Craven Meeting at Newmarket, where he displayed the speed and stamina of a future Group sprinter. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he remains well‑handicapped and should be a serious contender. Carrying a high rating in a competitive field is never easy, and that is the challenge facing MILITARY ACADEMY in the Boodles Handicap (4.45).
He was a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season and has continued to show promise under his current trainer, Jane Chapple‑Hyam, highlighted by a close third in the Winter Derby. I expect the forecast of good ground to suit him, as his best performances have come on soft or heavy going, and a slight reduction in his weight could give him the edge he needs. EVE JOHNSON HOUGHTON will launch KESTA’s campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). I have not yet ridden Kesta, but he proved his ability last season with three victories, including a win at Nottingham in early October at this level.
While his sharpness after a break since the end of October is uncertain, his versatility on different ground types gives me confidence that he will be comfortable and could produce a respectable run. ADVANCING is a big, well‑made horse who struggled with the tight turns at Wolverhampton last month, but the conditions in the National Stud Handicap (5.55) should suit him better. He gave me a good feel when we won together at Kempton, showing he can handle a more galloping mile.
Trainer Marco Botti’s charge also possesses the stamina to stay the distance strongly. Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER is entered in the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) at a low weight after a promising run at Musselburgh earlier this month – his second start since being gelded. He won over the nine‑furlong distance at Edinburgh last summer with a rating of 92, so if he can build on that recent form, he should be well‑placed. Looking ahead to the Betfred 2000 Guineas on Saturday, I would not be surprised to see Aidan O’Brien claim his 11th victory with GSTAAD (3.35).
The colt has a wealth of experience, having proven himself on the Rowley Mile and possessing the stamina to stay the mile. He finished second in the Dewhurst at Headquarters last autumn and then stepped up to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. Heading into the Guineas without a recent run should not be a disadvantage for a horse of his calibre.
At longer odds, I can envision John and Thady Gosden’s OXAGON replicating his Craven Stakes triumph with a strong performance, while I hope my husband Tom can extract a good run from William Haggas’ promising four‑year‑old, NEEDLE MATCH, who finished fourth in the Greenham. The Betfred 1000 Guineas on Sunday could turn into a head‑to‑head clash between KARL BURKE’s VENETIAN SUN and Ballydoyle’s robust filly TRUE LOVE (both 3.35).
Venetian Sun has been to the gallops and possesses the raw speed required for a Classic win, whereas True Love, a Queen Mary Stakes winner, impressed me with a dominant seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown, suggesting she can sustain her effort over the full mile. Turning to the Royal Ascot Trials Day on Friday, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes (2.35) offers a potential springboard for TOM CLOVER’s promising stayer TABLETALK. He ran well in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh in February and could be primed for improvement, possibly out‑classing the seasoned Sweet William and Group One performer CABALLO DE MAR. I am also fond of CLIVE COX’s colt COPPULL, entered in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10).
He finished a close second to the likely favourite WISE APPROACH in the Middle Park Stakes last year, losing by less than a length. I believe Rossa Ryan’s mount has the potential to develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer. For those following Sky Sports Racing, you can stay up‑to‑date via WhatsApp for the latest news, video highlights, feature stories, analysis and more. Godolphin’s WISE APPROACH has set a high benchmark after his Group One breakthrough at Newmarket and should be able to confirm that form against Aidan O’Brien’s reliable BRUSSELS.
Elsewhere, I am curious to see how REMMOOZ will fare in the Listed Membership At Ascot Paradise Stakes (3.45) for trainer Owen Burrows. The four‑year‑old secured a Listed victory at Newbury in September and was backed up by a solid runner‑up performance by VOLTERA in the Doncaster Mile, making his upcoming run a compelling storyline.
That concludes my thoughts for the upcoming weekend. I was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing these insights and looking forward to an exciting series of races.