Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador, Hollie Doyle, shares her thoughts on the six mounts she will ride at Newmarket this Saturday, as well as her broader outlook on the weekend’s Classic races and the informative Trials Day at Ascot on Friday. Among the six rides on the Betfred 2000 Guineas card, I’m partnered with a promising filly from Archie Watson’s yard in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes. She starts at 1.10 and offers an intriguing early‑season test for a horse that has already shown a touch of class. PARIS BABE (1.10) carries a respectable weight and made a very encouraging debut in the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday.
She travelled strongly, staying with the leader for most of the race before being caught in the closing stages. Previously trained by Gavin Hernon in France, she won there and should relish the step back to six furlongs.
With the sun finally breaking through, she looks healthy and glossy in the paddock. Though her official rating sits at 89, she has room to improve and could produce a solid performance if she gets the trip right. This year’s field is markedly stronger than last year’s. Group winner Flora Of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, and proven Pattern performer Rosy Affair is also back for her seasonal debut, adding depth and quality to the contest.
EL BODON is a long‑shot at 1.45 in the Class Two Betfred Handicap, but he is a genuine talent on a good day. His record includes a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old, ridden by my husband Tom on the Marquand. His most recent outing in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his best, yet he has demonstrated consistency with back‑to‑back wins at Kempton over the winter under Jane Chapple‑Hyam’s training. The horse to watch, however, is Andrew Balding’s likely favourite Double Rush.
I first noticed him at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting, where he displayed the speed and composure of a future Group sprinter. Even with a five‑pound penalty, he remains well‑handicapped and should be a key factor in the race. Carrying a high rating in a competitive field is never easy, which is exactly the challenge faced by MILITARY ACADEMY in the Boodles Handicap (4.45). He was a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season and has continued to show promise under 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 efforts have come on soft or heavy going. A slight reduction in weight could allow him to unleash his full potential.
Eve Johnson Houghton launches KESTA’s campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). Although I have not ridden KESTA before, he recorded three wins last season, including a victory 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, but his versatility on different ground types gives me confidence that he will be comfortable and could produce a respectable run. ADVANCING is a big, attractive horse who struggled with the two turns at Wolverhampton last month.
The National Stud Handicap (5.55) should suit him better, especially given the more galloping mile at Kempton where I previously won on him. Marco Botti’s charge possesses the stamina to stay the distance, and I anticipate he will relish the conditions. Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER steps into 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 nine furlongs at Edinburgh last summer with a rating of 92, and if he can build on that recent effort, he could be a serious contender.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s Betfred 2000 Guineas, I would not be surprised if Aidan O’Brien celebrates his 11th victory with GSTAAD at 3.35. The colt has a wealth of experience, having performed well on the Rowley Mile and proven himself as a reliable stayer. He finished second in the Dewhurst at Newmarket last autumn, then stepped up to claim the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, so a lack of a prep run should not hinder him.
At longer odds, John and Thady Gosden’s OXAGON could replicate his Craven Stakes triumph with a strong performance, while I hope my husband Tom can extract a good tune from William Haggas’s promising four‑year‑old, Needle Match, who finished 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, both at 3.35.
Venetian Sun has been to the gallops at the racecourse and possesses the turn‑of‑speed needed for a Classic win, whereas True Love, a former Queen Mary winner, demonstrated the stamina to stay the mile with a commanding seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown. On Royal Ascot’s Trials Day, the Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes (2.35) at Ascot on Friday – broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing – could be a springboard for Tom Clover’s promising stayer TABLETALK.
He ran creditably in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh earlier this year and may now be ready to improve on his previous effort, potentially out‑classing seasoned campaigners like 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 finished a close second to the favourite Wise Approach in the Middle Park last year, losing by less than a length. With Rossa Ryan aboard, I believe Coppull can develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer.
For the latest sports news, videos, features, analysis and more, follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp. Godolphin’s Wise Approach has set a high benchmark after his Group One breakthrough at Newmarket, and a strong performance from Aidan O’Brien’s ever‑reliable Brussels would further confirm that form. Elsewhere, I am curious to see how REMMOOZ shapes up 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 well‑placed behind Volterra when he ran strongly behind Docklands in the Doncaster Mile. It will be interesting to watch how the Blue Point son handles this contest.
These are my thoughts heading into a busy and exciting weekend of racing, and I look forward to sharing more insights after the meetings. Hollie Doyle speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.