1000 Guineas: O’Brien dominance
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Rhododendron bullet-proof favourite
Sunday’s UK and Irish horse racing meetings are made up of action at Newmarket, Hamilton and Leopardstown. The highlight of the afternoon, by some way, goes at Suffolk, where punters have a fascinating 1000 Guineas meeting to sort through.
Focussing on the race of the day, we give our best bet below, and if you scroll to the bottom of this page you’ll find a selection in each of the seven legs on the card. Click now to have your say on all Sunday’s horse racing, and to build your multiples.
Aidan fancied to do it again
We have a highly competitive 14-runner field expected for the renewal of the 1000 Guineas, due at 3.35pm, but there’s absolutely no doubt in the minds of Coral traders on the winner of this one, with Rhododendron marked up as hot-favourite. 7/4 is the call at the time of writing, shortening from the opening offer of 15/8.
Daban heads the chasing pack, at 6/1, joint second-fav with Fair Eva, and we’re finding it increasingly difficult to argue against that stance, as the race approaches. Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore team up again, and the vastly-popular trainer, who boasts a fantastic winning record in the 2000 Guineas, has also claimed this race three times already.
Jockey and trainer got Minding home in front last year, and that was their second success together in the last five renewals of this race. As well as going for a red-hot yard, there’s plenty more to like about the jolly. The talented three-year-old filly, a product of the great Galileo, brings a record of three wins from five starts into this one, having never finished outside of the places.
More to come from Rhododendron
She was last seen claiming the Dubai Fillies’ Mile around here back in October, leaving the chasing pack for dust in what was a hugely impressive effort. Picking off beaten rivals at the end, she kept on when it mattered to grind down stablemate Hydrangea, and was noted going away from them at the post.
Plenty more is expected of Rhododendron, and we should see another example of just how good she is here. It’s worth remembering that O’Brien had the first three last year, and is sure to be a popular play with casual punters again this time. He prepares Winter at 7/1 and Hydrangea at 14/1, both worth each-way consideration.
Newmarket Selections
1.50 – Big Country
2.20 – Muffri’ha
2.55 – Big Time
3.35 – Rhododendron
4.10 – Way Of Wisdom
4.45 – Astronomy’s Choice
5.20 – Bin Battuta
