Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, breaks down the six mounts she has lined up for Newmarket’s Betfred 2000 Guineas day 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 her rides, Doyle will partner a promising filly from the Archie Watson yard in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes (run at 1.10). The filly, Paris Babe, has already shown a lot of ability in her debut at the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday, where she travelled strongly before being edged out near the finish.
A former winner in France under trainer Gavin Hernon, Paris Babe should relish the step back to six furlongs and appears in good condition now that the sunshine has returned. Although she carries a rating of 89 and still needs to improve, Doyle expects another respectable performance. The renewal of the race looks considerably stronger than last year’s edition. Group winner Flora of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, while proven Pattern performer Rosy Affair also returns for her seasonal comeback.
In the Class Two Betfred Handicap (1.45) Doyle rides EL BODON, a high‑priced but classy contender. The horse boasts an impressive turf résumé, including a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old for Doyle’s husband, Tom Marquand.
Although his most recent effort in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his best, EL BODON demonstrated his class with back‑to‑back wins at Kempton over the winter for trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam. The race’s marquee competitor is likely‑favorite Double Rush, trained by Andrew Balding.
Doyle spotted him during the Craven Meeting at Newmarket and believes he has the makings of a Group sprinter. Despite a five‑pound penalty, he remains well‑handicapped and poses a genuine threat to the field.
In the Boodles Handicap (4.45), Doyle is booked on MILITARY ACADEMY, a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season. Since moving to Jane Chapple‑Hyam, the horse has produced promising runs but has yet to break through at the front, as illustrated by his close third in the Winter Derby.
Doyle hopes the expected good‑to‑soft ground will suit him, given his best performances have come on soft or heavy turf. A slight weight advantage could help him capitalize on his latent ability. Eve Johnson Houghton’s KESTA begins his campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10).
Doyle has not ridden him before, but he secured three victories last season, including a win at Nottingham in early October at this level. While his sharpness after a several‑month break is uncertain, his versatility across different ground conditions gives Doyle optimism for a solid showing. ADVANCING, a big, well‑built horse, struggled with the two turns at Wolverhampton last month but should find the conditions in the National Stud Handicap (5.55) more to his liking. Doyle recalls a comfortable win on him at Kempton, where he could stretch out over a galloping mile.
Trainer Marco Botti’s charge possesses the stamina to stay the distance and could thrive with the current track conditions. Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER enters the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) carrying a low weight after a promising run at Musselburgh earlier in the month – his second start since being gelded. He previously won over the nine‑furlong distance at Edinburgh with a rating of 92, suggesting he could build on that recent form if he adapts well to Newmarket.
Looking ahead to the main event, Doyle believes Aidan O’Brien could notch his 11th Betfred 2000 Guineas victory with Gstaad (3.35). The colt, a son of Starspangledbanner, boasts a strong résumé: second in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last autumn and a comfortable win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. Although he heads into the Guineas without a fresh run, his prior experience on the Rowley Mile and proven stamina make him a credible contender.
At longer odds, John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon could replicate his Craven Stakes triumph with a big performance, while Doyle hopes her husband Tom can extract a good run from William Haggas’ promising Greenham runner‑up Needle Match. The Betfred 1000 Guineas (3.35) on Sunday may boil down to a duel between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s strong filly True Love. Venetian Sun has been training on the gallops and possesses the speed required for a Classic win, while True Love, the previous year’s Queen Mary Stakes victor, impressed Doyle 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 stepping‑stone for Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk.
The horse ran well, albeit in defeat, in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh earlier this year and could improve enough to challenge seasoned rivals such as Sweet William and Group One star Caballo De Mar. Doyle also has an eye on Clive Cox’s colt Coppull in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial (3.10). Coppull finished a close second to the likely favourite Wise Approach in the Middle Park Stakes last year, losing by less than a length.
Doyle believes that under Rossa Ryan’s guidance, Coppull can develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer. Fans can stay up‑to‑date by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, video highlights, feature stories and expert analysis. Godolphin’s Wise Approach continues to set a high benchmark after his Group One breakthrough at Newmarket, and a solid performance from Aidan O’Brien’s reliable Brussels would further underline that standard. Elsewhere, Doyle is curious about Remmooz’s prospects in the Listed Membership At Ascot Paradise Stakes (3.45) for trainer Owen Burrows.
The four‑year‑old secured a Listed win at Newbury in September and was well‑placed behind Volterra in the Doncaster Mile, making his upcoming run a compelling subplot. In a final note, Hollie Doyle shares her insights with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, offering fans an insider’s view of the upcoming Classics and trial meetings.