Horse Racing

Horse Racing week ahead: Newmarket hosts first Classics of the season

bet365 News Team Updated: 24 Jun 23 10:14 Published: 30 Apr 23 11:30

The opening British Classics of the 2023 Flat Season come this week, with the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas from Newmarket.

The leading three-year-olds will be bidding to add their name to the history books at Flat racing's HQ and here is a look at that and what else there is to look forward to this week in the UK and Ireland.

All the action can be followed via our Sports Live Streaming platform and here's a day-by-day look ahead to the racing week in store from 1st-7th May.

Monday 1st May

On what is a busy bank holiday Monday, racing in the UK and Ireland comes from the Curragh (1.20-5.20), Warwick (1.30-5.32), Down Royal (1.35-5.05), Kempton (1.55-5.25), Windsor (2.09-5.39), Beverley (2.18-5.48) and Bath (2.23-5.53).

There are two Group races at the Curragh, including the Group Two Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes. Aidan O’Brien has won the 1m2f contest a record 13 times.

He will be hoping last season’s Irish Champion Stakes winner Luxembourg can help him extend that record on his first outing of the campaign. He is set to face six rivals in the race, including Piz Badile and Above The Curve.

Tuesday 2nd May

Racing on Tuesday comes from Brighton (1.50-4.55), Nottingham (2.10-5.10), Yarmouth (2.30-5.30), Ballinrobe (5.18-8.18), Wolverhampton (AW) (5.40-8.45) and Newcastle (AW) (6.00-9.00).

The Nottinghamshire Oaks Stakes (1m2f) is a Listed race at 4.10. It features Golden Lyra for William Haggas, a Lope De Vega filly who won a Listed contest at Saint-Cloud last season.

She is set to take on Shadwell filly Al Husn, who is bidding for her fifth straight success.

Wednesday 3rd May

Ascot (1.30-5.00) is the pick of the action on Wednesday. It features the Group Three Sagaro Stakes, a trial for the Ascot Gold Cup and the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes.

Trueshan has an entry in the former and if the ground remains soft, he could take on Coltrane in what would be an excellent early season contest in the stayers’ division.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, racing comes from Pontefract (1.40-5.10), Wolverhampton (AW) (1.50-5.15), Brighton (5.05-8.10), Gowran Park (5.20-8.20) and Kempton (AW) (6.00-9.00).

At Gowran Park, there are two Listed races, including the Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares.

Thursday 4th May

There are six meetings in the UK and Ireland on Thursday. Ayr (1.30-4.40) gets things underway, with action then followed at Redcar (1.50-5.05), Salisbury (2.10-5.25), Lingfield (AW) (5.00-8.05), Tipperary (5.20-8.25) and Chelmsford (AW) (5.45-8.45).

Grand National winner trainer Lucinda Russell has a rare runner on the Flat at Ayr at 3.05. She will saddle C&D winner Flylikeaneagle as he bids to win off top weight in the 1m handicap contest.

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The Week Ahead: Newmarket hosts first Classics of the season

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2000 Guineas: Dates, TV schedule, odds and records

Friday 5th May

It is the opening day of the Qipco Guineas Festival at Newmarket (1.15-5.20) on Friday and the bet365 Mile is the first Group Two contest of the afternoon at 1.50.

My Prospero, Light Infantry and Native Trail all have entries in what could be a quality race.

Later on the card, the Group Two Jockey Stakes comes at 3.35. Former Derby winner Adayar is one of four Godolphin runners entered in the 1m4f contest.

Goodwood (1.30-4.55), Musselburgh (1.40-5.00), Cheltenham (4.50-8.17), Newcastle (AW) (5.35-9.00), Cork and Downpatrick are also on the schedule on Friday.

Saturday 6th May

It is 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket (1.40-5.55), the opening British Classic of the season.

There are 20 runners left in the field for the Group One contest at the latest entry stage, including 2/1 Auguste Rodin. The Ballydoyle runner will be bidding to give Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 11th success in the race.

The Group Three Palace House Stakes at 4.00 and Chaloner Stakes, a Listed contest for fillies and mares over 6f at 2.15, are other notable races on 2,000 Guineas Day at Newmarket.

Action on Saturday also comes from Goodwood (1.20-5.00), Thirsk (1.30-4.55), Uttoxeter (2.40-6.15), Doncaster (5.20-8.25), Hexham (5.30-8.40) and Naas. The Group Three Blue Wind Stakes is the pick of the action at Naas.

Sunday 7th May

The fillies take centre stage on Sunday at Newmarket (1.50-5.25) for the 1000 Guineas at 3.40.

Meditate (7/2) and 3/1 Tahiyra are set to make the trip across from Ireland to represent Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld respectively.

Mammas Girl and 7/1 Remarquee are two of the leading fillies from the UK in the race.

Action on Sunday also comes from Hamilton (1.30-4.58), Salisbury (2.10-5.35) and Leopardstown.

At the latter, the Group Three Amethyst Stakes comes at 2.50. Former Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs and C&D winner Buckaroo are both entered in the 1m contest.