The ITV4 cameras move on to Newmarket and Goodwood on Friday for two fabulous cards and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway has four selections to follow.
Like A Tiger 6/1
1pt win
Mutasaabeq 9/2
1pt win
Alaroos 14/1
1pt win
Crystallium @ 10/1
1pt win
The Newmarket Stakes (1.15) has attracted a stellar field of Derby hopefuls, but none is more exciting than LIKE A TIGER, who can cement his Epsom claims by landing the recognised trial.
Like A Tiger is well suited to this track. He was second on his debut over a mile here in September and looked better than ever on his return to the Rowley Mile over course and distance last time out, when he made a mockery of a handicap mark of 83 at the Craven meeting.
The selection reared up and lost several lengths at the start, putting him last in a competitive race, but he swept past the field on the bridle and went clear inside the final furlong.
There were four lengths separating himself and the remainder at the line and he was a class apart.
This is a much stronger contest, but Like A Tiger has always been held in high regard and there should be plenty more to come from him at this trip. Any rain will also be in his favour.
Native Trail is a warm order for the bet365 Mile (1.50) at Newmarket but, after looking like a potential star, he was ultimately disappointing last season and now comes here following wind surgery.
That puts me off him at a short price and the better bet might be MUTASAABEQ, who has won three of his four starts at this course and his only defeat was a good seventh in the 2,000 Guineas a couple of years ago.
He is evidently suited by the track and should go well again.
Mutasaabeq improved for the addition of blinkers when recording a career-best Racing Post Rating with victory over course and distance in the Joel Stakes in September and a reproduction of that form would give him strong claims, even under a 3lb penalty.
He is versatile with regards to ground and Charlie Hills has started the season in good form. That is enough to convince me Mutasaabeq will be ready to go following a 224-day break.
1000 Guineas: Dates, TV schedule, odds and records
2000 Guineas: Dates, TV schedule, odds and records
The British EBF 40th Anniversary Daisy Warwick Fillies' Stakes (2.05) at Goodwood is a superb contest and the forecast rain might bring the mudlark ALAROOS into play at a price.
The lightly raced four-year-old makes her debut for up-and-coming trainer Harry Eustace after leaving Kevin Prendergast in Ireland and she had some smart form there last year.
Alaroos produced her best effort on heavy ground at Naas last time, when she was beaten six and three-quarter lengths behind the smart Duke De Sessa.
That was a strong race in which 16 talented fillies went to post and the selection was in contention until the closing stages.
This looks weaker and Alaroos might be capable of taking advantage for Eustace, who has a good record with horses returning from long breaks. Fitness, therefore, shouldn’t be an issue.
Back to Newmarket and the King Charles II Stakes (2.25) looks like a good opportunity for CRYSTALLIUM and 17-year-old riding sensation Billy Loughnane to secure a Listed success.
Crystallium had some smart form last season, which included a wide-margin victory over subsequent Listed winner Caernarfon on her debut at Chelmsford, and a win at Newbury.
She has been beaten on her last three starts, but all of them came in Group company and she is entitled to improve for her first run of the season.
That was her debut for the Peter Chapple-Hyam yard in the Fred Darling at Newbury, when she was beaten five and a half lengths.
This race probably isn’t as strong as that one and she receives weight from her male opponents.
Crystallium could spring a surprise at what should be a rewarding price.
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