2000 Guineas Horse Racing Tips: Best bets for Saturday at Newmarket

The first Classic of the season takes place on Saturday as the colts gear up to do battle in the 2000 Guineas. 

A superb day is in store at Newmarket and a champion will be crowned in a feature that has major ramifications on the breeding industry. 

Here's our race-by-race look at a belting nine-race card which runs from 13:10-17:50 on Saturday afternoon and which is headlined by the 2000 Guineas at 15:35.

13:10 - British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes (Listed, 6f)

Virtually nobody can be discounted in an open running of the Ellen Chaloner Stakes and a chance is taken on Heritage House for James Fanshawe. 

This filly has been a bit of a slow burner, only making her debut half way through last season. She was a steady improver, though, and took her form to a new level on her return when fifth in the Nell Gwyn, outrunning odds of 150-1.

Heritage House’s second to the smart Adaay In Devon (getting 7lb) at Leicester last October rates a fine effort in the context of this race and this drop back to 6f should be A-okay for her. 

Selection: Heritage Hous

13:45 - Extra Place Races Handicap (Heritage Handicap, 6f)

Another competitive contest and Apollo One could be the answer to this 6f handicap. Apollo One is a standing dish in these big sprint handicaps and opened his season up in this contest last year, finishing a good third to Probe off 3lb lower.

He kept his form admirably after that, producing a string of runner-up finishes in major sprint handicaps at Epsom’s Derby meeting, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.

His mark has slipped a bit of late and this looks the perfect opening for this prominent racer.  

Selection: Apollo On

14:20 - Suffolk Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (1m1f)

David O’Meara excels with new recruits and he can conjure a big handicap out of Theoryofeverything in the Suffolk Stakes.

This four-year-old was considered a Classic prospect this time last year for John and Thady Gosden and created a good impression on his stable debut here last time.

A keeping-on fourth over a mile on his return, Theoryofeverything should relish an extra furlong and the booking of William Buick catches the eye.

By Frankel and out of QEII winner Persuasive, this lightly-raced type is beautifully bred and should progress with racing. 

Selection: Theoryofeverythin

14:55 - Palace House Stakes (Group 3, 5f)

A trappy Palace House Stakes and a chance is taken on Mitbaahy, whose Chester win last term puts him in the clear on Racing Post Ratings.

Mitbaahy fared best of the held-up runners in the Abernant Stakes on his comeback, and while dropping back to 5f isn’t the natural move, there should be a strong pace on and Jamie Spencer can pick off rivals in the final furlong. 

There is no reason Charlie Hills, a dab-hand with sprinters, cannot conjure further progress from Mitbaahy on his second run for the stable. 

Selection: Mitbaah

15:35 - Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1, 1m)

Unbeaten and proven on the Rowley Mile after his impressive Royal Lodge success, Ghostwriter is picked to take his form to the next level in a cracking running of the 2000 Guineas for Clive Cox.

The 2000 Guineas often turns into a test of stamina and this Invincible Spirit colt, whose dam was tried over 1m6f, should appreciate that. 

His two-year-old formlines are working out well and he has been underestimated in the betting relative to short-priced favourite City Of Troy. Any rain will suit the selection. 

Selection: Ghostwrite

16:10 - Epic Boost Handicap (1m4f)

A tricky 1m4f handicap where it may pay to side with classy topweight Relentless Voyager, who might be a cut above these. 

The son of Ulysses has been gelded after struggling in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, but debuts in a handicap off a decent mark of 101 based on his previous efforts.

Relentless Voyager went close in the Italian Derby and proved his suitability to the Rowley Mile behind Castle Way in the Newmarket Stakes at this meeting last season despite the 1m2f trip looking on the sharp side.

Selection: Relentless Voyage

16:45 - Bet In-Running Handicap (6f)

Richard Hannon has plenty of good chances on 2000 Guineas day and Dapper Valley merits a second look in the 6f handicap with the excellent Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle.

Dapper Valley won his side in a similar big-field 6f handicap here at the Craven meeting recently (first of ten) and a bold effort is unexpected off 2lb higher.

There should be more to come after only five starts and his impressive course form seals the deal, with a good step forward anticipated from his comeback. 

Selection: Dapper Valle

17:15 - Keep Your Raceday Positive "Confined" Handicap (7f)

Hannon and Moore also combine with Christian David in the 7f contest. He too possesses strong claims. 

Christian David has improved his RPRs with each start and was just edged out in a good 7f handicap at Newbury last time. Cementing the confidence is the fact Christian David went close in a course-and-distance maiden here at the end of last season, getting within half a length of subsequent Craven third Sons And Lovers.

That horse could be Classic-bound and Christian David promises to rate higher than a mark of 86. 

Selection: Christian Davi

17:50 - HKJC World Pool Handicap (1m)

Saffie Osborne teams up with Newmarket trainer Charlie McBride for only the second time with Speriamo in the finale and her mount is fancied to go well. 

Speriamo shaped better than the result on her comeback fourth at Southwell as she was poorly positioned in a small-field race with no pace on behind several highly regarded prospects.  

Big-field handicaps are her cup of tea and particularly here. She has form figures of 1137 at Newmarket and it is easy to imagine this contest has been her long-term aim. If first-time blinkers work the oracle, she has excellent claims. 

Selection: Speriam