May 1, 2021 -- 1:03AM, unclepuncle wrote:
Well a wide open renewal and although the stalls are in the middle I just hope we aren't talking about the draw and golden highways after the race.Hopefully with it being a fairly small field they stay up the middle but I expect the high numbers may come stand side (like in 2019 when Magna Grecia won). They may split into two small groups and go both sides like when Night Of Thunder and Kingman on the far side beat Australia who was on the stands side.If I ignore the possible draw problems then it really does look a hard one to call. The ground should be proper good to firm and light winds hopefully mean there isn't a massive bias for front runners.While Mutassabeq is unbeaten and beuatifully bred he seems very short for what he has actually achieved and I do wonder how much he was flattered by being on the front end with a strong tail wind last time. At the prices I can happily leave him alone.Wembley and Thunder Moon come next in the market and have strong claims. I do feel Wembley (who is only 1 from 6) is just a touch one paced and lacks a real turn of foot - he has looked good closing late on when others have started to tire but will he again get too far back.Thunder Moon certainly showed a turn of foot in the National Stakes and with fast ground he looks the strongest of the market leaders. However he is by Zoffany and while a decent stallion he has not been a source of classic winners and reminds me of Beat Hollow in that respect.Next we have Battleground who looked good at Ascot and Goodwood. But that form isn't really much to get excited about - the second horse at Goodwood was well beaten on his next few starts and is now based in Doha! Then we have the two Godolphin / Appleby horses. One Ruler has been well touted all spring and has good course form, quickening nicely to beat Van Gogh. He was just touched off in desperate conditions in the Racing Post Trophy - a race that has started to have a big influence on the Guineas. He was previously beaten at the Doncaster Leger meeting in a relatively ordinary listed race so I just don't see him as a Guineas winner.Master Of The Seas is interesting. Three time New'Mkt winner and only defeat coming in the National Stakes when he raced freely and quickened up looking the winner a furlong out before getting swamped late on. Pulls hard and now wears headgear and he reminds me a bit of King of Kings who was the best Guineas winner I have seen in my 30 years of following racing - if you are too young to remember him do watch it on You Tube. Will need cover which he may not get from stall 2.Lucky Vega looks a doubtful stayer and Poetic Flare surely needs further so that leaves Chindit.Only beaten once, in the Dewhurst, and while many, including the trainer, put that down to the ground and/or not handling the track I am not so sure. He was going nicely in behind towards the rail and got checked at a crucial stage and then was eased when beaten. Another horse who will need cover for a late challenge as he has a good turn of foot and only just does enough. He hangs left handed under pressure though being drawn high he should be near the stands rail by the end.Van Gogh is a good horse but is a big brute and definitely seemed to struggle with the dip when 2nd to One Ruler. He is also bred to be a 10f horse so may lack the pace.Hard to fancy any of the others.At the available prices I've played Master Of The Seas and Chindit.Good Luck All.
Chindit lmfao you’re a mug pal
Jan 23, 2021 -- 5:14AM, roadrunner46 wrote:
so this is the latest thinking on the 2000 guineas, been too busy on other areas of research last season, plus the disruption to the normal pattern to the racing season, hudson river went off a short price favourite for