Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle shares an insider’s look at the six mounts she will ride at Newmarket on Saturday, outlines her predictions for the weekend’s Classic races, and recaps the informative Trials Day at Ascot held on Friday. Among the six rides slated for Betfred 2000 Guineas Day, Doyle partners an intriguing filly from Archie Watson’s stable in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes. The filly, Paris Babe, starts at 1.10 and offers a promising prospect for the day.
Paris Babe (1.10) carries a respectable weight and has already shown her ability in a valuable Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday. She travelled well, staying with the leader for most of the race before being run down near the finish.
Previously trained by Gavin Hernon in France, she secured a win there and now looks refreshed after a sunny spell. Although she carries a rating of 89 and still needs to improve, the step back to six furlongs should suit her, and she appears healthy and ready for another solid performance.
The renewal this year is notably stronger than the previous edition. Group‑class winner Flora of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, while proven Pattern performer Rosy Affair also returns for her seasonal debut, adding depth to the field. In the Class Two Betfred Handicap, EL BODON goes off at 1.45.
The horse is a quality runner on a good day and boasts an impressive turf résumé, including a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old for Doyle’s husband, Tom Marquand. Although his most recent effort in the Sprint Final at Newcastle fell short of his best, he demonstrated his class with back‑to‑back victories at Kempton over the winter for trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam.
The horse that many will be watching is Andrew Balding’s likely favourite, Double Rush. Doyle first noticed him during the Craven Meeting at Newmarket, where he displayed the speed and acceleration of a potential Group sprinter. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he remains well‑handicapped and could pose a serious threat to the field. Another key contender is MILITARY ACADEMY, entered in the Boodles Handicap at 4.45.
The colt, a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season, has continued to develop under Jane Chapple‑Hyam, highlighted by a close third in the Winter Derby. Doyle hopes the expected good‑going ground will suit him, as his best performances have come on soft or heavy going.
A slight reduction in weight could give him the edge he needs to finish strongly. Eve Johnson Houghton’s KESTA starts his campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). Although Doyle has not ridden him before, Kesta proved his ability last season with three wins, including a victory at Nottingham in early October at the same class.
His first run since the end of October will reveal his current sharpness, but his versatility on different ground conditions gives Doyle confidence that he can produce a respectable run. ADVANCING is a big, well‑built horse who struggled with the tight turns at Wolverhampton last month but should relish the more forgiving conditions of the National Stud Handicap (5.55). Doyle previously won on him at Kempton, where he showed he can handle a galloping mile with ease. Trained by Marco Botti, the colt possesses the stamina to stay the distance and could benefit from a favourable weight assignment.
Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER contests the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) carrying a low weight. After a promising run at Musselburgh earlier in the month – his second start since being gelded – he appears ready to step up. He previously won over nine furlongs at Edinburgh with a rating of 92, indicating that he can handle the Newmarket trip if he can replicate that form. Looking ahead to the Saturday Classic, Doyle predicts that Aidan O’Brien may celebrate his 11th Betfred 2000 Guineas victory with Gstaad at 3.35.
The colt has ample experience, having placed second in the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn and then traveling to the United States to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. Despite not having a prep race this season, his proven ability on the Rowley Mile and his pedigree – being a son of Starspangledbanner – suggest he will be a serious contender. Among the longer odds, John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon could capitalize on his Craven Stakes win, while Doyle hopes her 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 may turn into a duel between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s filly True Love, both priced at 3.35. Venetian Sun has been training on the gallops and possesses the turn‑of‑foot required for a Classic sprint, while True Love, a former Queen Mary winner, impressed Doyle with a dominant seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown, suggesting she can stay the mile. On Royal Ascot Trials Day, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes (2.35) at Ascot on Friday – broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing – offers a springboard for Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk. Tabletalk ran well in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh earlier in the year and could improve enough to out‑class the seasoned Sweet William and Group One star Caballo De Mar.
Doyle also has a soft spot for Clive Cox’s colt Coppull, entered in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10). Coppull was narrowly beaten by the likely favourite Wise Approach in last year’s Middle Park and could develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer under the guidance of jockey Rossa Ryan. For the latest updates, Sky Sports can be followed on WhatsApp, delivering breaking sports news, videos, features, analysis and more.
Godolphin’s Wise Approach continues to set a high benchmark after a Group One triumph at Newmarket, and Doyle expects him to confirm that form against Aidan O’Brien’s reliable Brussels. Elsewhere, Doyle is intrigued by 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 win at Newbury in September and was well‑placed behind Volterra in the Doncaster Mile, making his performance in this race a point of interest, especially given his sire, Blue Point. In summary, Hollie Doyle’s insights provide a comprehensive preview of the upcoming Classics, the key horses to watch, and the strategic considerations that will shape the outcomes of these high‑profile races.