Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, jockey Hollie Doyle, offers a detailed preview of her six mounts slated for Newmarket’s Betfred 2000 Guineas meeting on Saturday, while also providing a quick look at the weekend’s classic races and the Ascot Trials Day that took place on Friday. In her blog she breaks down each horse, explains why she believes they have a chance, and adds a few personal observations about the form and the trainers involved. **Paris Babe – 1/10** The headline name on my list is the filly Paris Babe, who will start at a very short price of 1.10 in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes.
She arrived at Newmarket from the Archie Watson stable and impressed on her debut in the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday. In that race she travelled strongly, staying with the leader for most of the way before being caught in the final furlongs.
The filly has a solid French pedigree, having won for her previous trainer Gavin Hernon, and the step back to six furlongs should suit her. The sun is finally shining, and she looks healthy in the paddock, though her official rating of 89 suggests there is still room for improvement. I expect her to produce a good effort and perhaps even win outright. **Flora Of Bermuda – 1/111** This year’s field is noticeably stronger than the previous edition, highlighted by the presence of Group winner Flora Of Bermuda.
She tops the ratings at 111 and is a proven performer at the Pattern level, making her a serious contender in the race. Her consistency and class should make her a benchmark for the other runners. **Rosy Affair – Rating not disclosed** Another seasoned campaigner, Rosy Affair, returns to the track after a spell.
She has previously shown she can compete at a high level and will be looking to regain her best form. **El Bodon – 1/45** El Bodon is a tempting outsider in the Class Two Betfred Handicap at 1.45. He is a classy horse with a respectable turf record, highlighted by a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes when he was three, a ride secured by my husband Tom on a Marquand mount.
Although his most recent run in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his usual standard, he displayed his class when he won back‑to‑back races at Kempton over the winter for trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam. If the conditions suit, he could be a value pick. **Double Rush – Favorite** The horse that everyone will be watching is Andrew Balding’s Double Rush, who looks the likely favorite.
I first noticed him at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting where he displayed the speed and stamina of a future Group sprinter. Despite carrying a five‑pound penalty, he remains well‑handicapped and should be a tough opponent for the rest of the field.
**Military Academy – 4/45** Military Academy is tasked with a tough assignment in the Boodles Handicap at 4.45. He was a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season and has continued to show promise under his current trainer, Jane Chapple‑Hyam, though he has yet to break through with a win.
His close third in the Winter Derby demonstrated his ability to stay on a longer trip. I anticipate the forecast of good 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. **Kesta – 4/10** Eve Johnson Houghton’s Kesta makes his seasonal debut in the Turners Handicap at 4.10.
I have not ridden him before, but he recorded three wins last season, including a victory at Nottingham in early October at this level. While his sharpness after a break since the end of October is uncertain, his versatility on different ground types gives me confidence that he will be comfortable and could produce a solid run. **Advancing – 5/55** Advancing is a big, attractive horse who struggled with the tight turns at Wolverhampton last month, but the conditions in the National Stud Handicap (5.55) should be more to his liking.
I have a good feel for him after a win at Kempton where he showed the ability to settle and then accelerate over a more galloping mile. Trainer Marco Botti has given him the stamina to stay the distance, and I expect him to be in his element on a forgiving surface. **Thunder Wonder – 2/20** Charlie Johnston’s Thunder Wonder will contest the Betfred Suffolk Stakes at 2.20, carrying a low weight after a promising run at Musselburgh earlier in the month.
This is his second start since being gelded, and he previously won over the same nine‑furlong distance at Edinburgh with a rating of 92. If he can build on that recent form, he should be well‑placed.
**Gstaad – 3/35** I would not be surprised if Aidan O’Brien adds another classic win to his record by taking the Betfred 2000 Guineas with Gstaad at 3.35. The colt has a wealth of experience, having run in the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn and then stepping up to claim the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. Although he heads into the Guineas without a recent run, his proven ability on the Rowley Mile and his stamina make him a reliable choice. **Oxagon – Longer odds** Among the longer‑priced contenders, John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon could capitalize on his Craven Stakes victory and deliver a big performance.
His turn of foot and class suggest he can compete with the leading colts. **Needle Match – Hopeful** I am also rooting for my husband Tom to extract a good run from William Haggas’ Needle Match, who finished fourth in the Greenham. A solid effort in that race indicates the horse has the potential to improve.
**Betfred 1000 Guineas – Venetian Sun vs. True Love** The following day’s Betfred 1000 Guineas may turn into a showdown between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s filly True Love, both at 3.35. Venetian Sun has been training on the gallops and possesses the speed required for a classic win, while True Love, a former Queen Mary winner, impressed me with a dominant seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown, suggesting she can stay the mile. **Royal Ascot Trials – Tabletalk** On Friday, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, offered a springboard for Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk.
After a respectable defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh, Tabletalk showed enough improvement to challenge established stayers such as Sweet William and Group One star Caballo De Mar. **Commonwealth Cup Trial – Coppull** I am also keen on Clive Cox’s colt Coppull in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10). He finished a close second to the likely favorite Wise Approach in last year’s Middle Park Stakes, losing by less than a length. I believe Rossa Ryan’s mount can develop into a top‑class sprinter as the season progresses.
**Other Notes** Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, videos, analysis and more. Wise Approach, trained by Godolphin, continues to set a high benchmark after his Group One victory at Newmarket, and I expect him to reaffirm his form against Aidan O’Brien’s reliable Brussels. In another intriguing story, I’m watching how Remmooz will perform 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 solid runner‑up to Volterra in the Doncaster Mile. His progress will be worth monitoring. Finally, I concluded my chat with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, reflecting on the excitement that the upcoming Classics and trial races bring to the sport and to my own riding calendar.