Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle reflects on her six mounts at Newmarket on Saturday, offering a preview of the weekend’s Classic races and an insightful look at the Trials Day at Ascot on Friday. Among the rides, I will partner an intriguing filly from the Archie Watson stable in the Listed Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes (1.10) at Newmarket. This is one of six engagements I have on Betfred 2000 Guineas Day.
PARIS BABE (1.10) carries a modest weight but impressed on her debut in the Fillies' and Mares' Championships Final at Newcastle on Good Friday. She travelled strongly, staying with the leader before fading just short of the finish.
Previously a winner in France under trainer Gavin Hernon, she should relish the step back to six furlongs. The sunshine has helped her coat look glossy, and although she still needs to improve her rating – currently 89 – she is likely to produce another respectable effort. This year’s renewal of the race is considerably stronger than last year’s.
Group winner Flora of Bermuda tops the ratings at 111, while proven Pattern performer Rosy Affair also returns for her seasonal debut, adding depth to the field. EL BODON is a tempting outsider at 1.45 in the Class Two Betfred Handicap. He is a classy type on his day and boasts a solid turf résumé, including a second‑place finish in the Greenham Stakes as a three‑year‑old for my husband Tom (Marquand).
His most recent run in the Sprint Final at Newcastle was below his best, but he demonstrated his ability with back‑to‑back victories at Kempton over the winter for 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 acceleration of a future Group sprinter. He remains well‑handicapped, even with a five‑pound penalty, making him a strong contender.
Carrying a high rating in a competitive field is never easy, but that is exactly the challenge facing MILITARY ACADEMY in the Boodles Handicap (4.45). He was a smart performer for John and Thady Gosden last season and has continued to run well for his current trainer Jane Chapple‑Hyam, highlighted by a close third in the Winter Derby. I anticipate the forecast of good ground will suit him, as his best performances have come on soft or heavy going, and a slight weight advantage could see him finish strongly.
Eve Johnson Houghton launches KESTA’s campaign in the Turners Handicap (4.10). I have not ridden him before, but he won three times last season, including a victory at this level at Nottingham in early October. How sharp he will be on his first start since the end of October remains to be seen, yet his versatility on different ground conditions gives me confidence that he can produce a solid run. ADVANCING is a big, attractive horse who struggled with the tight turns at Wolverhampton last month, but the National Stud Handicap (5.55) should suit his running style.
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 stamina to stay the distance and could take advantage of the softer ground.
Charlie Johnston’s THUNDER WONDER contests the Betfred Suffolk Stakes (2.20) at a low weight after a promising run at Musselburgh earlier this month – his second start since being gelded. He proved capable over nine furlongs at Edinburgh last summer with a rating of 92, and if he can replicate that form, he will be a serious threat. I would not be surprised if Aidan O’Brien adds an 11th Betfred 2000 Guineas victory to his record on Saturday with Gstaad (3.35). The colt has ample experience, having finished second in the Dewhurst at Newmarket last autumn before stepping up to claim the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.
Although he heads to the Guineas without a recent run, his proven ability on the Rowley Mile suggests he will handle the mile with confidence. 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 run from William Haggas’ promising Greenham fourth‑place finisher Needle Match. The Betfred 1000 Guineas (3.35) on Sunday may turn into a head‑to‑head clash between Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle’s robust filly True Love. Venetian Sun has been galloping at the racecourse and possesses the speed needed for a Classic win, whereas True Love, a former Queen Mary winner, displayed a dominant seven‑furlong victory at Leopardstown that suggests she can stay the mile.
The Group Three Longines Sagaro Stakes (2.35) on Royal Ascot Trials Day at Ascot – broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing – offers a stepping‑stone for Tom Clover’s promising stayer Tabletalk. The horse ran well in defeat in the Group Two Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh in February and could improve enough to outpace seasoned rivals Sweet William and Group One star Caballo De Mar. I am also fond of Clive Cox’s colt Coppull 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 and, under the guidance of Rossa Ryan, could develop into a top‑class sprinter this summer.
Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest sports news, videos, features, analysis and much more. Godolphin’s Wise Approach set a high benchmark after his Group One breakthrough at Newmarket and should be able to confirm that form against Aidan O’Brien’s reliable Brussels.
Elsewhere, I am curious to see how Remmooz fares 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 backed up by a runner‑up performance by Volterra when he finished well behind Docklands in the Doncaster Mile.
It will be interesting to watch the son of Blue Point test his mettle against this competition. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.