Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her thoughts on the six mounts she will ride at Newmarket this 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 rides, I am partnered with a promising filly from the Archie Watson yard in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes (starting price 1.10).
This race is one of six I have booked for Betfred 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket. PARIS BABE (1.10) carries a respectable weight and has already shown a great deal of ability in her maiden outing. She finished a close second in the Fillies' and Mares' Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday, travelling well and only just missing the finish line. Previously trained in France by Gavin Hernon, she won there and should relish the step back to six furlongs.
The sunshine has helped her coat look glossy, and although she still needs to work off a rating of 89, she is likely to produce another solid performance. The field this year is considerably stronger than last. Group winner Flora Of Bermuda leads the ratings on 111, while proven Pattern performer Rosy Affair also returns for her seasonal debut, adding depth to the contest. EL BODON is priced at 1.45 in the Class Two Betfred Handicap, but he possesses class on his day and boasts an impressive turf record, including a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old for my husband Tom (who rode for Marquand).
His most recent run in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his best, yet he displayed his usual intelligence when he claimed 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 at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting; he looks like a future Group sprinter and carries a respectable handicap, even after a five‑pound penalty. Carrying a high rating in a competitive field is never easy, which is why MILITARY ACADEMY is a key contender in the Boodles Handicap (4.45).
The colt was a clever performer for John and Thady Gosden last season and has continued to run well for 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 turf performances have come on soft or heavy going, and a slight weight relief could allow him to show his true ability. Eve Johnson‑Houghton launches KESTA’s campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). I have not yet ridden him, but he won three times last season, including a victory at this level at Nottingham in early October.
It remains to be seen how sharp he will be on his first start since the end of October, but he should be comfortable on the track and adaptable to different ground conditions, giving me confidence of a respectable run. ADVANCING is a big, attractive horse who struggled with the two turns at Wolverhampton last month, yet should thrive in the National Stud Handicap (5.55) where the ground is likely to suit him. He gave me a pleasant feel when we won together at Kempton, handling the more galloping mile with ease. Trainer Marco Botti’s charge possesses the stamina to stay the distance strongly.
Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER enters the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) carrying a low weight after a promising run at Musselburgh earlier this 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 effort, he should be a serious contender. I would not be surprised if Aidan O’Brien adds another Betfred 2000 Guineas triumph to his record (now eleven) on Saturday with Gstaad (3.35). The colt has ample experience, having proven himself on the Rowley Mile, and is a reliable stayer.
A son of Starspangledbanner, he finished second in the Dewhurst at Headquarters last autumn before stepping up to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. Going straight to the Guineas without a prep race should not hinder him. At longer odds, I can see John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon replicating his Craven Stakes success 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 (3.35) on Sunday may become a showdown between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s robust filly True Love.
Venetian Sun has been to the gallops and possesses the speed required for a Classic win, whereas True Love, a Queen Mary Stakes winner last summer, impressed me with a commanding seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown and should be able to stay the mile. Turning to the Royal Ascot Trials Day on Friday, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes (2.35) could be a springboard for Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk. The horse ran well in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh in February and may have improved enough to beat the seasoned Sweet William and Group One star Caballo De Mar. I am also keen on Clive Cox’s colt Coppull in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10).
He was placed behind the likely favourite Wise Approach in the Middle Park Stakes last year, losing by less than a length. I think Rossa Ryan’s mount can develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer. Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, video highlights, features, analysis and more. Godolphin’s Wise Approach set a high benchmark after his Group One breakthrough at Newmarket and should at least confirm that form when matched against Aidan O’Brien’s ever‑reliable Brussels.
Elsewhere, I am intrigued by how Remmooz will fare in the Listed Membership At Ascot Paradise Stakes (3.45) for trainer Owen Burrows. The four‑year‑old captured a Listed win at Newbury in September and was complimented by runner‑up Volterra when he ran well behind Docklands in the Doncaster Mile. It will be interesting to see how the son of Blue Point handles this contest.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.