Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, shares her thoughts on the six mounts she will ride at Newmarket on Saturday and outlines her picks for the weekend’s Classic races, as well as offering a preview of the Trials Day at Ascot on Friday. Among the six rides slated for Betfred 2000 Guineas Day, one of the most intriguing is a partnership with an interesting filly from Archie Watson’s yard in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes. The filly, Paris Babe, starts at 1.10 and presents a compelling story.
After a respectable debut in the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday—where she travelled strongly but faded in the closing stages—Paris Babe now looks ready to improve. She previously won a Group race in France under trainer Gavin Hernon, and the step back to six furlongs should suit her. With the sun finally breaking through, she appears glossy and healthy, though she still carries a modest rating of 89 and will need to sharpen up. Nonetheless, her connections are hopeful that she can produce another solid performance.
The overall quality of the field this year is markedly stronger than the previous edition. Group winner Flora of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, while seasoned Pattern performer Rosy Affair also returns for her seasonal debut, adding depth and experience to the contest. Another notable entry is EL BODON, offered at 1.45 in the Class Two Betfred Handicap.
Though the price looks generous, the horse possesses genuine class, boasting a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old for Hollie’s husband, Tom Doyle, who rode for trainer Marquand. EL BODON’s most recent run in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his usual standard, yet he demonstrated his ability by securing back‑to‑back victories at Kempton over the winter for Jane Chapple‑Hyam. He could well be a value pick if he finds his rhythm again.
The race that many will keep an eye on is Andrew Balding’s Double Rush, the probable favourite. The colt impressed at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting and looks like a future Group sprinter. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he remains well‑handicapped, making him a strong contender in a competitive field.
In the Boodles Handicap (4.45), the task falls to MILITARY ACADEMY, who carries a lofty rating. The horse was a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season and has continued to show promise under current trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam, highlighted by a close third in the Winter Derby.
The forecast calls for good going, which should suit his best turf form—soft or heavy ground—and a slight easing in the weights could allow him to make the most of the conditions. Eve Johnson Houghton’s KESTA begins his campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). Although Hollie has never ridden him, he secured three victories last season, 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 across different ground types gives her confidence that he can produce a respectable run. ADVANCING, a big, well‑muscled horse, struggled with the two‑turn configuration at Wolverhampton last month but should thrive under the softer conditions of the National Stud Handicap (5.55). Hollie previously enjoyed a comfortable win on him at Kempton, where he displayed his natural galloping stride over a mile. Trainer Marco Botti’s charge possesses the stamina to stay the trip strongly, and a more forgiving going could see him settle into a winning rhythm.
Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER enters the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) carrying a low weight after a promising showing at Musselburgh earlier in the month—his second start since being gelded. He proved his ability over the nine‑furlong distance at Edinburgh last summer with a rating of 92, and if he can build on that recent form, he should be a solid contender. Aidan O’Brien’s Gstaad is a strong candidate to secure his eleventh Betfred 2000 Guineas victory on Saturday. The colt, a son of Starspangledbanner, boasts a rich résumé: a second place in the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn, a comfortable win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, and proven ability on the Rowley Mile.
Although he heads into the Guineas without a fresh run, his experience and stamina make him a reliable choice at 3.35. At longer odds, John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon could repeat his Craven Stakes triumph with a big performance, while Hollie’s husband Tom hopes to extract a good run from William Haggas’ promising four‑year‑old Needle Match, who finished fourth in the Greenham. Looking ahead to the Betfred 1000 Guineas on Sunday, a potential showdown looms between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s striking filly True Love. Venetian Sun has been working at the racecourse and possesses the raw speed required for a Classic win, whereas True Love, a former Queen Mary Stakes winner, impressed with a dominant seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown, suggesting she can stay the mile.
On Royal Ascot’s Trials Day, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes (2.35) offers a springboard for Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk. The horse ran admirably, though in defeat, in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh earlier this year and may now be ready to improve, potentially outpacing seasoned campaigners like Sweet William and Group One star Caballo De Mar.
Clive Cox’s colt Coppull also attracts attention in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10). He narrowly missed out to likely favourite Wise Approach in last year’s Middle Park, finishing less than a length behind. Rossa Ryan believes Coppull can develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer, and the trial could be his launching pad.
For fans wanting up‑to‑date sports news, videos, features and analysis, Sky Sports can be followed on WhatsApp. Godolphin’s Wise Approach continues to set a high benchmark after a Group One breakthrough at Newmarket and should be able to confirm that form against Aidan O’Brien’s reliable Brussels. Elsewhere, Hollie is keen to see how Remmooz fares in the Listed Membership At Ascot Paradise Stakes (3.45) for trainer Owen Burrows.
The four‑year‑old, a son of Blue Point, claimed a Listed win at Newbury in September and was a close runner‑up to Volterra in the Doncaster Mile, indicating he can compete at a high level. Hollie Doyle concluded the interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, summarising her excitement for the upcoming Classics and Trials, and expressing confidence in the talent she will ride and the horses she has highlighted.