Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her thoughts on the six rides she has lined up for Newmarket’s Betfred 2000 Guineas day and offers a preview of the weekend’s Classic contests, as well as a look ahead to the Ascot Trials Day that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Friday. Among the six mounts, the most eye‑catching is the filly from Archie Watson’s stable, entered in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes at a very low weight of 1.10 stone.
The filly, Paris Babe, has shown promise in her brief career and will be a key part of Doyle’s day at Newmarket. Paris Babe (carrying 1.10) impressed on her debut in the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday. She travelled well, staying with the leader for most of the race before fading in the final stages. The filly was previously trained in France by Gavin Hernon, where she secured a win, and she now appears to relish the step back to six furlongs.
With the sun finally breaking through, her coat looks glossy and healthy. Although her official rating sits at 89, indicating room for improvement, Doyle is hopeful that a favourable weight and a good run will allow her to show her true ability. The overall quality of the field this year is markedly stronger than last season. Group‑level winner Flora of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, while Rosy Affair, another proven Pattern performer, also returns for a seasonal re‑appearance.
Both horses add depth and credibility to the race, suggesting that the contest will be highly competitive. Another notable entry is EL BODON, a long‑shot at 1.45 in the Class Two Betfred Handicap. Despite the high odds, EL BODON has a respectable turf résumé, highlighted by a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old, a ride secured by Doyle’s husband Tom on behalf of trainer Marquand. His most recent effort, a run in the Sprint Final at Newcastle, was below his usual standard, yet his winter victories at Kempton for Jane Chapple‑Hyam demonstrate his class when the conditions suit.
The horse that Doyle identifies as the one to beat is Andrew Balding’s Double Rush, who captured her attention during the Craven Meeting at Newmarket. Double Rush possesses the speed and stamina of a potential Group sprinter, and even with a five‑pound penalty, he remains well‑handicapped, making him a serious contender.
The Boodles Handicap (4.45) will see Military Academy taking on a strong field while carrying a high rating. The colt, a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season, has continued to improve under Jane Chapple‑Hyam, most recently finishing a close third in the Winter Derby.
Doyle believes the forecast soft ground will suit him, as his best performances have come on yielding or heavy turf, and she hopes the slight weight advantage will allow him to finish strongly. Eve Johnson Houghton’s KESTA starts his campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). Although Doyle has not yet ridden the gelding, KESTA earned three wins last season, including a victory at Nottingham in early October.
His first start since the end of October will test his sharpness, but his versatility on different ground types gives Doyle optimism for a respectable showing. ADVANCING, a big, well‑built horse, struggled with the tight turns at Wolverhampton last month but should find the National Stud Handicap (5.55) more to his liking.
Doyle previously won on him at Kempton, where his galloping stride over a mile suited his style. Trainer Marco Botti’s charge possesses the stamina to stay the distance and could benefit from the more forgiving conditions.
Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER will contest the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) at a low weight after a promising run at Musselburgh earlier in the month – his second start since being gelded. He proved his ability over nine furlongs at Edinburgh last summer with a rating of 92, and if he can replicate that form, he should be a solid factor in the race. Looking ahead to the main feature on Saturday, Doyle predicts that Aidan O’Brien could secure his 11th Betfred 2000 Guineas victory with Gstaad at odds of 3.35. The colt, a son of Starspangledbanner, boasts a strong résumé: a second‑place finish in the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn and a dominant win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.
Although he will start the Guineas without a prep run, his proven ability on the Rowley Mile and his stamina make him a reliable stayer. At longer odds, John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon could repeat his Craven Stakes triumph with a big run, while Doyle’s husband Tom hopes to extract a good performance from William Haggas’ promising four‑year‑old Needle Match, who finished fourth in the Greenham.
The Betfred 1000 Guineas on Sunday may turn into a head‑to‑head between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s striking filly True Love, both priced at 3.35. Venetian Sun has been working at the racecourse and possesses the raw speed needed for a Classic, while True Love, last summer’s Queen Mary Stakes winner, displayed the turn of foot to win a commanding seven‑furlong race at Leopardstown, suggesting she can stay the mile.
On Royal Ascot’s Trials Day, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes (2.35) will feature Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk. Tabletalk ran well in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh earlier in the year and could improve enough to beat seasoned rivals Sweet William and Group One star Caballo De Mar. Clive Cox’s colt Coppull is another horse Doyle is fond of for the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10).
Coppull was narrowly beaten by the likely favourite Wise Approach in the Middle Park Stakes last year, losing by less than a length. Rossa Ryan’s mount has the potential to develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer. Doyle also highlights Godolphin’s Wise Approach, whose Group One breakthrough at Newmarket set a high benchmark, and she expects him to confirm that form against Aidan O’Brien’s reliable Brussels. Finally, she is curious about Remmooz’s prospects in the Listed Membership At Ascot Paradise Stakes (3.45) for trainer Owen Burrows.
The four‑year‑old, a son of Blue Point, captured a Listed win at Newbury in September and was placed behind Volterra in the Doncaster Mile. His continued progression will be interesting to watch. For the latest updates, video highlights, analysis and more, follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp.
Hollie Doyle discussed these insights with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.