Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her thoughts on the six rides she has lined up at Newmarket on Saturday, while also previewing the weekend’s Classic races and an informative Trials Day at Ascot on Friday. Among the six mounts slated for Betfred 2000 Guineas Day, I’ll be partnering a promising filly from Archie Watson’s stable in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes. She starts at a very light weight of 1.10 stone and offers an intriguing prospect for the day. PARIS BABE (1.10) has already shown a lot of potential.
She made a solid debut in the valuable Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday, tracking the leader for most of the race before fading just short of the finish. The filly previously won a Group race in France under Gavin Hernon, and the step back to six furlongs should suit her well. With the sun finally breaking through, she looks glossy and healthy. Though her official rating of 89 suggests she still has work to do, she possesses the class to produce another respectable performance.
This year’s renewal of the race is considerably stronger than the previous edition. Group winner Flora Of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, and proven Pattern performer Rosy Affair is also returning for her seasonal debut, adding depth to the field.
EL BODON (1.45) is a tempting outsider in the Class Two Betfred Handicap. He is a genuine talent on a good day and carries an impressive turf record, including a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old for my husband Tom Marquand. His most recent effort in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his best, but he demonstrated his ability with back‑to‑back wins at Kempton over the winter for trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam.
The horse that everyone will be watching is Andrew Balding’s likely favourite, Double Rush. I first noticed him at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting, where he displayed the speed and versatility of a future Group sprinter.
He remains well‑handicapped despite a five‑pound penalty, making him a key contender. Another challenging assignment is MILITARY ACADEMY in the Boodles Handicap (4.45). The gelding, a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season, has continued to improve under Jane Chapple‑Hyam, highlighted by a close third in the Winter Derby.
His best form has come on soft or heavy ground, so the forecast of good‑going terrain could suit him, especially if the weight assignment eases slightly. Eve Johnson Houghton’s KESTA starts his campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). I have not yet ridden him, but he recorded three victories last season, including a win at Nottingham in early October at this level.
It remains to be seen how sharp he will be after a break since the end of October, yet his adaptability to different ground conditions gives me confidence that he can produce a solid run. ADVANCING is a big, well‑built horse who struggled with the tight turns at Wolverhampton last month, but the National Stud Handicap (5.55) should suit his stamina. He gave me a good feel when we won together at Kempton, handling the more galloping mile with ease. Trainer Marco Botti’s charge possesses the staying power to stay the distance strongly.
Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER will contest the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) at a light weight after a promising run at Musselburgh earlier this month – his second start since being gelded. He previously won over the nine‑furlong distance at Edinburgh with a rating of 92, indicating that he is well‑conditioned and capable of building on that recent form. Looking ahead to Saturday’s Betfred 2000 Guineas, I would not be surprised if Aidan O’Brien adds an 11th classic triumph with GSTAAD. The colt is highly experienced, having proven himself on the Rowley Mile, and he is a reliable stayer.
A son of Starspangledbanner, Gstaad finished second in the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn before stepping up to claim the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. Going straight to the Guineas without a prep run should not hinder him. At longer odds, John and Thady Gosden’s OXAGON could repeat his Craven Stakes success with a big performance, while I hope my husband Tom can extract a good tune from William Haggas’ promising four‑year‑old, NEEDLE MATCH, after his solid fourth in the Greenham.
The Betfred 1000 Guineas on Sunday may turn into a showdown between Karl Burke’s VENETIAN SUN and Ballydoyle’s robust filly TRUE LOVE. Venetian Sun has been in training and possesses the raw speed required for a Classic win, whereas True Love, a Queen Mary Stakes winner, demonstrated she can sustain a mile after a commanding seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown last summer. On Friday, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes – a Royal Ascot Trials Day feature – could serve as a springboard for Tom Clover’s promising stayer TABLETALK. The horse ran well in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh earlier in the year and may improve enough to out‑class the seasoned Sweet William and Group One star CABALLO DE MAR.
I am also keen on 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 can develop into a top‑class sprinter as the season progresses. For the latest updates, follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for news, video highlights, 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 ever‑reliable BRUSSELS. Elsewhere, I am intrigued by REMMOOZ, entered 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 subsequently out‑finished by Volterra in the Doncaster Mile after a solid run behind Docklands. It will be interesting to see how the Blue Point offspring fares on this Ascot surface.
These are the rides and races that will shape my weekend at Newmarket and Ascot, and I look forward to sharing the outcomes with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.