TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

15:35 Newmarket – 2,000 Guineas

The first of the five annual three year old classics of the season and flat HQ plays host to one of the most anticipated races of the year.

As usual this years renewal is no exception and the Ballydoyle juggernaut take centre stage, head the market and fill most of the antepost newspaper columns with Magna Grecia and Ten Sovereigns leading the way in the betting. Although stable jockey Ryan Moore has elected to rise Ten Sovereigns you can never truly tell with O’Brien which of his horses is more fancied than the rest.

The race has the usual who’s who of breeding and top class sires all represented however there seems a slight dampener on the race with many of the main protagonists not lining up.

The likes of Calyx opted to race earlier in the week and it seems as though sprint trips are going to be the preferred option instead of the classic route. Also long term race favourite Too Darn Hot no longer takes up his spot either.

I’m positive the race is still going to produce decent horses but we’re sadly left with the feeling of what might have been.

In terms of finding a horse that’s achieved the most so far I’d probably have to say Advertise who won the July Stakes here at Newmarket and followed that up with a Group 1 success in Ireland. Sadly there’s a huge question mark over the one mile trip and it looks as if it’ll be too much for him.

If you’re a punter looking for big priced runners who could go well I wouldn’t look past Momkin and Dark Vision who have decent form in the book and although likely to play second fiddle to some of the more well fancied runners have enough to sneak into a place.

Of the aforementioned Ballydoyle principles I’d have to follow the choice of Ryan Moore who opts for Ten Sovereigns. A course winner who clearly handles the track and is unbeaten but my main concern is the trip. With all of his wins over six furlongs it’s hard to say wether or not he’ll want the extra two furlongs and although I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish with his head in front it’s another unbeaten runner that gets the nod.

The William Haggas trained Skardu ticks plenty of boxes. He’s had a run already this season so will strip fitter than most, he’s got a course and distance win to his name after winning both starts here at Newmarket and he remains unbeaten. He’ll be drawn close to the current favourite so is likely to have a horse to aim at which will undoubtedly help and with the trainer in decent early season form he looks a fantastic each way bet at a current price of around 7/1.

SKARDU (E/W)

13:50 Newmarket – Ibraz (E/W)

14:05 Goodwood – Crystal Moonlight (WIN)

14:20 Newmarket – Judicial (E/W)

14:40 Goodwood – Love Dreams (WIN)

14:55 Newmarket – Coronet (WIN)

15:35 Newmarket – Skardu (E/W)

The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk:

CORONET (WIN)

The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock:

NAADIRR (WIN)

East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde:

FUSIL RAFLES (WIN)

Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly:

NAADIRR (WIN)

Ipswich Star – Matt Polley:

DREAMWEAVER (WIN)