The major trials for the 2,000 Guineas concluded at Newbury on Saturday without the emergence of a significant rival to Gleneagles in the ante-post markets, as Muhaarar, a 16-1 chance, stayed on to beat Estidhkaar in the Greenham Stakes with Ivawood, the second-favourite for the Classic beforehand, soundly beaten in third place.
Muhaarar scraped home by a nose to win the Gimcrack Stakes at York last summer and then ran third in the Group One Middle Park Stakes, but his three-year-old debut marked a significant improvement in his form as he travelled and quickened well before showing determination to hold the late challenge of Estidhkaar.
The winner, who was ridden by Frankie Dettori, and the runner-up are owned by Sheikh Hamdan al-Maktoum, who will have the final say on where the two colts go next.
“I always knew that he was a good horse, it was just a question mark if he would get the trip,” Charlie Hills, the winner’s trainer, said. “Frankie said the French Guineas would suit him, but we will see how he comes out of the race and the decision is up to Sheikh Hamdan.”
Richard Hannon, the trainer of Estidhkaar and Ivawood, said that he was delighted with the runner-up’s performance and that the he will go to Newmarket on 2 May with “every chance”.
Muhaarar and Ivawood are top-priced at 20-1 for the 2,000 Guineas, while Estidhkaar is a 16-1 chance in a market with only the 2-1 favourite Gleneagles, who has yet to race this season, at single-figure odds.
There was shock result in the card’s main trial for the 1,000 Guineas too as Tiggy Wiggy, the winner of the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes last season, finished third behind Redstart and Jellicle Ball after starting as the 11-10 favourite for the Fred Darling Stakes.
Tiggy Wiggy, an explosive front-runner at sprint trips last year, took a keen hold under Richard Hughes as he held her up in mid-division on her first start beyond six furlongs. She could find no response as Redstart, who had made the running, quickened clear over a furlong out, leaving the promising Jellicle Ball to close to within three-quarters of a length of the winner.
“I had her down as a German Guineas filly,” Ralph Beckett, Redstart’s trainer, said, “but we will have to go for the [Newmarket] Guineas now. She will stay a mile for sure.”
Redstart and Jellicle Ball are general 20-1 chances for the 1,000 Guineas, while Tiggy Wiggy, who will need to cover an extra furlong still if she lines up at Newmarket, is out to 33-1.
