The 1000 Guineas takes place on Sunday at Newmarket among a seven-race card. GG tipster Joe Napier has three best bets across the card, including one to take on hot favourite Desert Flower in the big one…
1.45 Newmarket – Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed)
There is no doubt she has to improve considerably on her debut compared to her other once-raced rivals, but SAND GAZELLE represents a yard who have won six of the last ten renewals of this race, which is a difficult record to get away from.
Last year’s winner for the Gosdens was Friendly Soul, who managed to beat Kalpana that day. Since then, that rival has gone on to become this season’s Arc favourite, so there is no doubt they know how to get one ready for this contest at Clarehaven.
The selection defied greenness and a significant drift in the market to win at 20/1 on her debut at Kempton. However, she has a good pedigree as a daughter of Frankel out of a half-sister to 2024 Arc heroine Bluestocking, so should benefit for going up in trip too.
2.55 Newmarket – Betfred Handicap
Along with his improvement over obstacles, KIHAVAH has continued to improve on the flat too. The eight-year-old’s progression may not have stopped with his win at Musselburgh last time either, as he could well defy top-weight in this contest.
Not many of his nine prospective rivals arrive here in form, with Knightswood potentially running on the Saturday here anyway. That horse has won recently, but Kihavah is the one on a roll, winning the last twice on the flat as well as having finished second in the Ebor last summer.
He beat a strong field at Musselburgh last time, so with this race looking weaker and with just a 2lb rise in the handicap for that victory, he has every chance of going in again.
3.35 Newmarket – Betfred 1000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1)
Desert Flower has been all the rage for this race since her startling Fillies’ Mile success and she is clearly a filly with immense talent. However, this could prove to be a clash for the ages, because she cedes the highest rating to LAKE VICTORIA, and Aidan O’Brien may well be able to mastermind his eight win in the race.
Like Desert Flower, the daughter of Frankel is unbeaten, but she has stretched that record through five races compared to four. Similarly, they have encompassed Group 1 wins across 6f, 7f and 1m, the latest in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf in which she was much the best on the day.
She has been fairly dominant the last twice, if not quite as visually impressive as Desert Flower was. Even with Aidan O’Brien having not won either Guineas for a few years, it is folly to rule him out from doing so, but his recent losing streak ensures we get a better price about the selection against the favourite.
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