Saturday’s Essai des Pouliches was a disappointing race, but blindly taking a line through the William Haggas runner-up Sea Of Grace (well beaten fifth in the Nell Gwyn behind Daban), the Newmarket 1000 Guineas was a better race.
In the 2000 Guineas, leading French fancy Al Wukair finished third under a less than auspicious ride and the horse that he conquered in the Prix Djebel, last year’s Lagardere winner National Defense lines up at Deauville for the Poulains with an excellent chance. The favourite should be Jean Claude Rouget’s Brametot, winner of the Prix Fontainebleau after blowing the start, but I think I am right in saying that the Pau trainer has never won this race.
The Ballydoyle raiding party does not look very strong. Ryan Moore has chosen Peace Envoy, who was well beaten in a Listed race on his seasonal debut and was beaten a long way in the Middle Park as a two year old and is by sprinter Power. Orderofthegarter won the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial easily, so why did Moore not pick the proven stayer?
Both of Andre Fabre’s colts look of interest, with the Godolphin colt Inns Of Court looking more likely than Le Brivido, although both won small races last time and owe their market positions more to their trainer than their race course form.
Of the four British raiders, Rivet will get the most attention after his second in the Craven and will welcome the easier ground than at HQ. It is hard to fancy Salsabeel, beaten favourite on his return in a conditions race at HQ, form that has already been let down by the third at Chester. The winner that day was trained by Andrew Balding, who is pitching Solario Stakes winner SOUTH SEAS in here after being well beaten in a valuable race on Good Friday on Newcastle’s polytrack (subsequent winner Leshlaa behind) but was second in a Group 1 on soft ground last year.
