The abrupt emergence of Masar as a potential Classic winner gives the 2,000 Guineas today at Newmarket a familiar Godolphin versus Ballydoyle look, but one of the more open renewals of recent years has several more genuine contenders in the field. Expert Eye and Elarqam have serious claims on the pick of their juvenile form, while James Garfield beat Expert Eye in the Greenham and will have his backers with Frankie Dettori taking the reins. There is also market confidence behind Mark Johnston’s Elarqam, which has not been the case for Saxon Warrior, one of Aidan O’Brien’s two main contenders.
O’Brien’s Gustav Klimt (3.35), though, looks very solid at the top of the betting. He did not post a wide-margin win to compare with Masar’s on his seasonal debut but Gustav Klimt was, in his way, just as impressive, as he quickened well on testing ground. He somehow plucked victory from defeat in last season’s Superlative Stakes too, and has the class and turn of foot to give O’Brien his ninth 2,000 Guineas winner.
Newmarket 1.50 Dommersen is an intriguing runner for John Gosden and Dettori. This will be just his ninth start at the age of five, but he has looked to have plenty of talent on several of his trips to the track and seems sure to improve for his first start in 574 days at Kempton in March.
Goodwood 2.05 Architecture finished second to Minding in the 2016 Oaks but failed to win in three starts last year. Mori’s form also tailed off a little last year, but she has had a wind op over the winter and could be set for a productive season.
Newmarket 2.20 Mabs Cross has the benefit of a run when she looked a little unlucky in Listed company at Bath and that may give her the edge over Judicial and the admirable Havana Grey.
Goodwood 2.40 Johnston has a strong hand here and Masham Star, third in a Listed event at Wolverhampton in March, has picked up useful draw for a front-runner in stall one.
Newmarket 2.55 Defoe put up only one poor performance last year when he beat only one home in the St Leger at Doncaster. He was back on track in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury last time though, and can reverse the Classic form with Count Octave.
Doncaster 5.15 Equitation (nb) 5.50 Broken Spear 6.20 Night Castle 6.50 Roller 7.20 Roussel 7.50 Bedrock 8.20 Rayna’s World
Goodwood 1.35 Le Torrent 2.05 Mori 2.40 Masham Star 3.15 Shamshon 3.50 Shenanigans 4.25 Quaroun 5.00 Honey Man 5.35 Groveman
Hexham 5.35 Applesandpierres 6.05 Little Bruce 6.35 Randy Pike 7.05 Blue Kascade 7.35 Greensalt (nb) 8.05 The Steward 8.35 Apache Pilot
Newmarket 1.50 Dommersen 2.20 Mabs Cross 2.55 Defoe 3.35 Gustav Klimt 4.10 VJ Day 4.45 Key Victory 5.20 Sam Gold (nap)
Uttoxeter 1.40 Damut I’m Out 2.10 Not That Fuisse 2.45 MIck Maestro
3.20 Bags Groove 3.55 American 4.30 Drinks Interval 5.05 Wandrin Star 5.40 Finish The Story
Wetherby 1.25 Ingleby Hollow 1.55 Zatorius 2.30 Istanbul Sultan
3.05 Wahash 3.45 Yeah Baby Yeah 4.20 Fujaira Prince 4.55 Alwaysandforever 5.30 Archie Stevens
