LUXEMBOURG can win the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas Stakes (British Champions Series) (Colts & Fillies) (3.40pm) at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon.
While TUESDAY may bring up a Classic double for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas Stakes (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (3.40pm) back at Headquarters on Sunday.
Trainer Charlie Appleby’s emergence on the Classic scene in recent years has seen the return of racing’s big two operations – Godolphin and Coolmore – going head-to-head. And it looks like this year’s Classics could be all about the big two, starting with the 2,000 Guineas.
Appleby’s unbeaten Native Trail is the worthy favourite and he looks a tough nut to crack. But a chance is taken on O’Brien’s Luxembourg coming out on top and putting down a marker for more Classic glory in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom in June.
Native Trail has won all five starts, landing all the best trials for the 2,000 Guineas with Group Ones – the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh, the Darley Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs of Newmarket’s Rowley Mile – and the Group Three bet365 Craven Stakes over course and distance earlier this month.
He looks solid, under Liverpool FC fan William Buick, and could easily give Appleby a first win in the mile Classic. But for value Luxembourg looks the bet to upset him.
O’Brien’s son of Camelot is also unbeaten in three starts, taking the Group Two Beresford Stakes before landing the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on his final start last October.
He is favourite for the Derby and looks ideal for middle distances. But his sire, Camelot, also won the Guineas before winning the Derby in 2012 for O'Brien. And although the step up to middle distances will see him improve further, Luxembourg can do something similar and take the first Classic of the season en route to more later in the season.
Robert Cowell’s veteran sprinter ARECIBO can win the Group Three Betfair Palace House Stakes (3pm).
Cowell won this with a similar type in Goldream in 2015 – a horse who had been around the block and run many good races in big sprint handicaps and also in Group contests.
The seven-year-old is a course and distance winner and was second in the King’s Stand Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot and also ran a fine race when fourth in the Group Two King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
He can get a well-deserved first Group-race success before heading back to the big summer Flat Festivals.
STRIKE RED made an eyecatching return to action over course and distance and Richard Fahey’s four-year-old can win the My Odds Boost On Betfair Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (1.50pm).
The four-year-old won three times last year and also ran some decent races in defeat. He returned to action to be sixth earlier this month, but things didn’t go his way and despite not getting a clear run, stayed on well to not be beaten too far by Gale Force Maya.
He can build on that to land this competitive six-furlong contest ahead of Julie Camacho’s Raatea and veteran Summerghand.
The aforementioned GALE FORCE MAYA can go in again stepped back up to Listed level in the Read Ryan Moore On Betting.Betfair British EBF Kilvington Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (1.15pm).
Michael Dods’ six-year-old is on a upward curve and has won three of her last four starts and was only beaten a short-head in a similar contest over course and distance in October. She can go in again.
Whether trainer Appleby and jockey Buick land Classic glory KING OF TIME – unbeaten in two starts – can provide them with a victory in the Betfair Exchange Handicap (4.50pm).
Others who may score at Headquarters on Saturday are Ralph Beckett’s LUCANDER in the Betfair Daily Rewards Suffolk Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (2.25pm); the Mark Johnston-trained LOVE IS GOLDEN in the Read Tony Calvin’s Tips On Betting.Betfair Handicap (4.15pm) and ROBJON, from the in-form Richard Hannon stable, in the Betfair Weighed-In Podcast Handicap (5.25pm).
At Newmarket on Sunday Tuesday can land the Fillies’ Classic (3.40pm) to bring up a double for Irish maestro O’Brien.
The Ballydoyle stable has the unbeaten favourite Tenebrism, but in the past they have taken the 1,000 Guineas with seemingly second or third strings.
Tenebrism sets the standard but there is no certainty she will stay this mile trip. On the other hand Tuesday – a daugher of the late, great Galileo – will relish it having won her maiden over the the trip at Naas last month.
O’Brien has won this Classic five times in the last six seasons and it is hard to see anyone else coming out on top with just a slight preference for the promise of Tuesday rather than the Group One-winning form of Tenebrism.
The Willie Haggas-trained LILAC ROAD can win the Group Two Betfair Exchange Dahlia Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (3pm).
The four-year-old daughter of Mastercraftsman has some decent form last year and can step up on a second in a Group Three over course and distance in October to score.
Others who can win at Newmarket on Sunday are Charlie Appleby’s duo, WITH THE MOONLIGHT and STORMY OCEAN, in the Listed Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes (Fillies) (2.25pm) and the Read Kevin Blake’s Tips On Betting.Betfair Handicap (4.15pm) respectively; and the Mark Johnston-trained SOAPY STEVENS – ridden by Scouser Franny Norton – in the Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (1.50pm).
Away from Newmarket on Saturday the Michael Appleby-trained KHATWAH can win the Listed William Hill Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes (2.40pm) at Goodwood. And Ed Walker’s CARADOC may also score in the William Hill Extra Places Everyday Handicap (3.16pm).
At Thirsk Dianne Sayer’s veteran REDARNA may be able to return to form to win the Fitzdares Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap (2.05pm) on his seasonal return. While another eight-year-old, the David O’Meara-trained MUSCIKA can take the Spittin’ Mick 91 Years Young Fitzdares Handicap (2.45pm).
Wright Ones
NEWMARKET (TODAY)
1.15pm Gale Force Maya
1.50pm Strike Red (NAP)
2.25pm Lucander
3pm Arecibo
3.40pm Luxembourg
4.15pm Love Is Golden
4.50pm King Of Time
5.25pm Robjon
GOODWOOD
1.35pm Distant Light
2.10pm Rose Light
2.40pm Khatwah
3.16pm Caradoc
3.46pm Super Superjack
4.20pm Shamlaan
4.55pm State Legend
THIRSK
1pm Dukono
1.30pm After John
2.05pm Redarna
2.45pm Muscika
3.20pm Wor Willie
3.45pm Gracelands Girl
4.35pm Carnival Zain
DONCASTER
4.45pm Seven Brothers
5.20pm True Statesman
6pm Cephalus
6.30pm Intrinsic Bond
7.05pm Lir Speciale
7.35pm Reverend Hubert
8.05pm Sea King
UTTOXETER
1.43pm Bolsover Bill
2.18pm Robiola
2.53pm Stepney Causeway
3.30pm Back On The Lash
4.05pm Hurricane Ali
4.39pm Clemencia
5.09pm Wavecrest
NEWMARKET (SUNDAY)
1.15pm Syndicated
1.50pm Soapy Stevens
2.25pm With The Moonlight
3pm Lilac Road
3.40pm Tuesday (NAP)
4.15pm Stormy Ocean
4.50pm Siamsa
Liverpool-born jockey Martin Dwyer likely to be out for season with knee injury
Liverpool-born jockey Martin Dwyer is likely to miss the rest of the Flat season ahead of knee surgery.
The 46-year-old Scouser, who won the 2006 Derby on Sir Percy at Epsom and the Oaks on Casual Look three years earlier, suffered a torn ACL in a fall on the gallops last month.
Trainer Willie Muir confirmed that the Everton FC fan will now undergo an operation in the next fews weeks.
Dwyer, who is married to Muir's daughter Claire, was due to ride Pyledriver - on whom he won the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom last June, in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic when he suffered the injury while riding out at Brian Meehan's stable. He twisted his knee when a leather iron broke, and Muir, who trains Pyledriver jointly with Chris Grassick, thinks he is unlikely to return to the saddle for some time.
Muir said: "He's not playing for Everton at the minute - although they might need him. He is having plenty of physio down at Oaksey House (rehabilitation and fitness centre in Lambourn) before the operation, because they wanted to take the inflammation away as much as they could before they operate.
"He is having the operation in early May. He is definitely having the ACL operation. He is a bit down, because he can't do anything. He is in a leg brace, what can you do?
"He is a bit fed up with life and Everton are playing so well! The fact that Liverpool are doing well doesn't help his mood, either."
Frankie Dettori was on board Pyledriver, when he was an unlucky to be beaten a length by Shahryar in the Sheema Classic at Meydan after a troubled passage during the contest.
The Italian is likely to retain the ride when the five-year-old bids to defend his Coronation Cup crown at Epsom on June 3.
Muir said: "I can't answer how long he (Dwyer) will be out for.
"It depends on how quickly he will recover, but he is a pretty tough lad. I think he has to have it screwed or stapled and they will see what the damage is when they operate. It will take a little time to recover.
He added: "Pyledriver is still on course for Epsom. That's the plan. We are working hard."
