Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her thoughts on the six mounts she will ride at Newmarket this Saturday and outlines her predictions for the weekend’s Classic races, as well as offering a preview of the Ascot Trials Day on Friday. Among the rides, Doyle partners an intriguing filly from Archie Watson’s stable in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes (1.10).
This filly, Paris Babe, is one of six horses Doyle will ride on Betfred 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket. Paris Babe (1.10) carries a relatively light weight and impressed on her first start in the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday. She chased the winner for most of the race before fading in the closing stages. Previously trained by Gavin Hernon in France, she won there and should appreciate the step back to six furlongs.
With the sun out, she looks healthy and glossy, though she still needs to improve from a rating of 89. Doyle hopes she can produce another solid performance. The field this year is markedly stronger than last year.
Group winner Flora of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, and proven Pattern performer Rosy Affair also returns for her seasonal debut, adding depth to the contest. El Bodon (1.45) is a tempting price in the Class Two Betfred Handicap.
He is a classy 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. His most recent run in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his best, but he showed his class with back‑to‑back victories at Kempton over the winter for trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam.
The horse that Doyle believes must be beaten is Andrew Balding’s likely favourite, Double Rush. The colt caught her eye at the Craven Meeting at Newmarket and looks like a future Group sprinter.
He is well‑handicapped, even after a five‑pound penalty, and could be a real threat. Military Academy (4.45) carries a high rating in the Boodles Handicap, a competitive race that will test his ability. A smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season, he has continued to run promising races for his current trainer, Jane Chapple‑Hyam, though he has yet to win. His close third in the Winter Derby demonstrates his potential.
Doyle hopes the forecast soft ground will suit him, as his best performances have come on soft or heavy going, and a slight weight advantage could see him finish strongly. Eve Johnson Houghton’s Kesta begins his campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). Doyle has not ridden him before, but he won three times last season, including a victory at Nottingham in early October at this level. It remains to be seen how sharp he will be on his first start since the end of October, but his versatility on different ground should give him a decent chance.
Advancing is a big, attractive horse who struggled with the tight turns at Wolverhampton last month, but the conditions at the National Stud Handicap (5.55) should suit him better. Doyle recalls a pleasant ride on him at Kempton, where he could settle into a galloping mile. Trainer Marco Botti’s charge possesses the stamina to stay the distance and could be a useful placer.
Charlie Johnston’s Thunder Wonder lines up 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 proved capable over nine furlongs at Edinburgh last summer with a rating of 92, and if he can build on that recent form, he could be a solid contributor. Looking ahead to Saturday’s Betfred 2000 Guineas, Doyle expects Aidan O’Brien to notch his 11th victory with Gstaad (3.35). The colt has ample experience, having won on the Rowley Mile and finished second in the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn.
He also claimed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar after stepping up in distance, so a lack of a prep run should not hinder him. At longer odds, John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon could repeat his Craven Stakes triumph with a strong showing, while Doyle hopes her husband Tom can extract a good run from William Haggas’s promising four‑year‑old Needle Match, who finished fourth in the Greenham. The Betfred 1000 Guineas on Sunday may turn into a showdown between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s filly True Love (both 3.35). Venetian Sun has been in training and possesses the speed required for a Classic win, while True Love, the previous year’s Queen Mary Stakes winner, demonstrated she can stay a mile after a commanding seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown.
On Friday, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes – a Royal Ascot trial – will feature Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk (2.35). Tabletalk ran well in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh in February and could improve enough to beat the seasoned Sweet William and Group One performer Caballo De Mar. Clive Cox’s colt Coppull also attracts attention in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10).
He was narrowly beaten by favourite Wise Approach in the Middle Park Stakes last year, finishing less than a length behind. Rossa Ryan believes Coppull can develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer.
Doyle encourages fans to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, videos, features, analysis and more. Godolphin’s Wise Approach set a high benchmark after a Group One triumph at Newmarket and should be able to confirm that form against Aidan O’Brien’s reliable Brussels. Elsewhere, Doyle is curious about Remmooz’s prospects in the Listed Membership At Ascot Paradise Stakes (3.45) for trainer Owen Burrows. The four‑year‑old claimed a Listed win at Newbury in September and was well‑placed behind Volterra in the Doncaster Mile, so it will be interesting to see how the Blue Point son handles the Ascot course.
In summary, Hollie Doyle’s upcoming rides span a range of classes and distances, from promising two‑year‑olds to seasoned older horses. Her insights blend personal experience, trainer knowledge and a keen eye for form, offering a comprehensive guide to the weekend’s key races. She will be riding Paris Babe, El Bodon, Double Rush, Military Academy, Kesta, Advancing, Thunder Wonder, Gstaad and several others, each with a distinct story and realistic chance of making an impact on the day.