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04/05 Newmarket Preview: Madhmoon out to halt Aidan O’Brien’s Guineas march

Syndicate Captain Cheltmental brings us his views on the Rollover Win 6 pool on the first day of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket, where the 2000 Guineas is the big race of the day.

 

13:50 – Spring Lodge Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) 1m1f

Al Muffrih disappointed as favourite on his last outing but, having since been gelded, he could continue his improvement. Elector is another gelding who should also be able to reach new heights this season.

Power Of Darkness showed more than enough on his seasonal reappearance round here to suggest that he could be competitive.

Selections – Al Muffrih, Elector, Power Of Darkness

 

14:20 – Zoustar Palace House Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) 5f

Sergei Prokofiev is the second highest rated in this race but, as a 3y,o he’ll carry bottom weight. He’s a course and distance winner so he has to be on the slip.

Both Mabs Cross and El Astronaute are solid at this level too. Judicial is on better terms now with last year’s winner, Mabs Cross, so he’s another obvious contender.

Selections – Sergei Prokofiev, Mabs Cross, El Astronaute, Judicial

 

14:55 – Roaring Lion Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) 1m4f

The are only two places up for grabs in this one and two of the most likely players, Defoe and Young Rascal each underwhelmed in the same race last month. Both are better than their performance showed that day but I’d take a chance with a single line on Coronet who won here on his second start and tends to run well on his seasonal bow. She comes out well on these terms too.

Selection – Coronet

 

15:35 – 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo) 1m

Aidan O’Brien has a great record at Newmarket and his two challengers have obvious claims to be made for them.

Ten Sovereigns has raced exclusively at 6f up to now but has already won round here whereas Magna Grecia has also won at this trip.

Madhmoon looked like a serious horse last season and I can forgive his comeback defeat as it came on slower than ideal ground, against a match fit opponent and he was conceding 3lbs.

Advertise has form behind Too Darn Hot & Calyx so has to be on the slip and Kick On won well enough on his last appearance to suggest that he might be overpriced.

Selections Ten Sovereigns, Magna Grecia, Madhmoon, Kick On, Advertise

 

16:10 – Havana Gold Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) 6f

Jackstar pulled away without giving himself any chance in his last outing but has winning course experience and I’d be prepared to give him another chance back down in trip.

Almufti is another coming back down in trip and any rain would help his chances massively. Concierge races in first time cheek-pieces and, if they have the desired effect, he could go well from a big weight.

Trainer Paul Cole is taking no chances with Cool Reflection after a wind op as he’s applied the tongue tie too. His better form has come on the all weather but this level looks achievable.

Selections – Jackstar, Almufti, Concierge, Cool Reflection

 

16:45 – Newmarket Stakes (Class 1) (3yo) 1m2f

Win only on this final leg so a strategy that might be applied by many will be to cover the field and hope for an upset. Realistically this does look a competitive affair so that might not be a bad option.

I, however, will plump for Walkinthesand who I think might prove to be special this season and if we make it this far through the pool, I’d probably prefer to look at a partial Cash-Out as an option, as opposed to quadrupling the stake of the ticket.

Selection – Walkinthesand

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