2000 Guineas Betting Preview 2011

Run at Newmarket (3.10) on Saturday, the QIPCO 2000 Guineas is the first classic of the season. The race is limited to three year old colts and run over a mile.

Our guide to the 2000 Guineas:

Broox: 150/1
Highly tried as a juvenile and the best he could do was finish within three lengths of Dream Ahead. Not good enough form to win a classic.

Casamento: 12/1
A good winner of the Racing Post trophy he showed he has class as well as speed. Looks to have stronger credentials for the Derby, for which he is a shorter price, but no reason why he cannot be competitive at a mile.

Dubawi Gold: 50/1
Well beaten in the Racing Post trophy he has improved since switching to Richard Hannon. Won both his starts on the all weather including the race that Paco Boy took in 2008.

Frankel: 4/7
Unbeaten in his five starts which includes a comfortable Dewhurst win. Has done nothing other than look like a top class miler. The most likely winner, the only negative is his odds.

Fury: 20/1
Won a valuable sales race as a two year old and subsequently entered in the Guineas. Yet to tackle the trip and might turn out to be best at sprints.

Happy Today: 150/1
Struggled in a slowly run race at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance, finishing second. Would be a huge shock.

Loving Spirit: 100/1
Looks better suited to middle distance races and has a Derby entry. Won his maiden in good style but then found out when upped to a mile. Lacks a change of pace.

Native Khan: 20/1
Winner of the Craven Stakes, we are yet to see if that race was anything other than ordinary. Finished 3.5 lengths behind Casamento in the Racing Post Trophy although the winner got first run on him that day.

Pathfork: 13/2
Beat Casamento by a head in Ireland to win first group one for his trainer. The better ground could see the horse improve even more and a fair second favourite.

Rerouted: 100/1
Failed to win a free handicap at Newmarket earlier in the month. Unlikely to have improved enough since then.

Roderic O’Connor: 10/1
Runner up behind Frankel in the Dewhurst, he was making up ground on that runner in the last furlong. Showed a step up to a mile was to his liking when winning the Criterium Internation in France.

Saamidd: 33/1
Confirmed his reputation as one of Godolphin’s top juveniles when impressive winner of the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Sent off third favourite behind Frankel in the Dewhurt and flopped badly with the ground to blame. On his best form he has a chance.

Slim Shadey: 300/1
Only one win to his name in a minor novice event; he was comprehensively beaten when upped to group class.