The first classic races of the 2015 season are only a week away with the 2000 Guineas first up on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien could saddle as many as four here but there is little doubt that Gleneagles is the one expected to lift the prize. He has not been seen since being controversially disqualified in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp’s Arc meeting in October. He was deemed to have caused interference to the second Full Mast and third Territories, the latter being set to re-oppose at Newmarket.
Gleneagles is a son of Galileo and has also been handed a Derby entry so he is following a similar pattern to Camelot and Australia. The money was all for Gleneagles a few weeks ago and nothing has really happened in the trials to challenge his position as favourite.
Stable companion Highland Reel was a very impressive winner of the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last summer after winning his maiden by 12 lengths in Ireland. He looked more of a middle distance performer that day and could be joined by the unbeaten Ol’ Man River and War Envoy.
Andre Fabre plans to supplement Territories on Monday after coming through his trial satisfactorily in the Prix De Fontainebleau at Longchamp. He has half a length to make up on Gleneagles but connections obviously feel that he is capable of doing so.
The Greenham Stakes looked like an excellent trial on paper but is seems to have left us with more questions than answers. Estidhkaar has emerged as second favourite at around 7-1 after being beaten by Muhaarar who is still available at 25-1. That suggests that the Greenham winner may be heading to the French Guineas while Ivawood and Belardo were very disappointing.
Kool Kompany appears to have won a sub-standard Craven Stakes while Elm Park has always looked a more likely Derby contender. His victory in the Racing Post Trophy had all of the hallmarks of a horse bound for Epsom and you have to wonder whether he will have the speed for the Guineas. Andrew Balding would probably be delighted with a staying on fourth place here with all roads leading to Epsom.
It is difficult to see anything else emerging from the trials with a serious chance and this looks like yet another classic success for Ballydoyle.
Gleneagles @9-4 888Sport
