1m (Row) Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo)
Yesterday’s 2,000 Guineas was a bit of a boil over with all the fancied horses bombing, including all of Aidan O’Brien’s, and it would take a real leap of faith to side with his Santa Barbara at 2/1 on an undulating track she’s never experienced and over a mile against Group class fillies. She’s got to be taken on and I can see this going to a big price. Statement and Saffron Beach both have strong claims to reverse form with Sacred and Alcohol Free respectively given the extra furlong versus their trial races, but I’m siding with two each-way chances at bigger prices. The first is THUNDER BEAUTY for Ken Condon as she represents the best of the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes form won by Pretty Gorgeous, who followed up in impressive fashion in the Fillies’ Mile. After impressing in her maiden, Thunder Beauty was slowly away that day and ran on really well from the back into fifth. On her next start she jumped well but got into a bit of argy bargy in the straight, whist the heavy ground might not have been ideal. I like her pedigree with stamina on the dam side and she’s by a Guineas winner in Night Of Thunder. 14/1 is a nice each-way price. By proxy I can’t rule out FEV ROVER at a bigger price of 20/1, as she was also involved in the same argy bargy at Longchamp but came home well with her long stride. Her win over Dubai Fountain at Sandown was well advertised when that filly placed behind Pretty Gorgeous in the Fillies’ Mile and she’s been the subject of glowing reports from Richard Fahey. She’s only 2lb off the top rated here and I can’t see the logic in her price.
1pt each-way Thunder Beauty @14/1, 15:40 Newmarket, Sunday (1-4, 1/5)
1pt each-way Fev Rover @20/1, 15:40 Newmarket, Sunday (1-4, 1/5)