The first Classic of the season takes place this afternoon, headlining a fascinating card at Newmarket, where all five of our Saturday racing tips are focused. Our horse racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge has analysed the races to bring you the best bets for Guineas Day.
Flora Of Bermuda to Bloom Again
A competitive Listed contest on paper, but this could be a good opportunity for Flora Of Bermuda to return to winning ways now that she drops in grade. The Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old was below par when last seen in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot last October, following a superb third in the Sprint Cup at Haydock the previous month. She began last season with a close second in York's Group 2 Clipper Stakes and also made the frame in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. All those races were over 6f on a sound or fast surface, conditions she relishes. Off level weights with the rest of the field, she can underline her class and return from her winter break with a win.
Newmarket Tip 1: Flora Of Bermuda – 2pts win @ 7/4 (William Hill)
Double Rush May Be Tough to Catch
Surprisingly, given the £100,000 prize pool, only ten have been declared for this sprint handicap, likely due to the presence of Double Rush, who is a worthy odds-on favourite to give Andrew Balding a double on the card. The former Charles Hills inmate has won at the last two Craven meetings, both over course and distance. Most recently, last month on his first start since joining Balding, he was emphatic. Well backed, he loomed up about two furlongs out and then opened up like a sports car, winning by almost 5l. On that strength, he looks very well treated under his penalty and, if in the same mood, should underline that. Ground conditions suit, and his trainer has won two of the last five renewals of this race.
Newmarket Tip 2: Double Rush – 4pts win @ 10/11 (Ladbrokes)
Quinault Can Challenge Market Favourites
This looks a cracking sprint on paper, with the market headed by Asfoora, who won last season's Group 1 Nunthorpe and Prix de l'Abbaye, but has changed trainers to Lemos De Souza, whose runners are not in red-hot form. It may be possible to take on Asfoora first time out, and we do so with Quinault on an each-way basis. Stuart Williams' gelding is as tough as old boots and loves a scrap. He is equally effective over a stiff 6f or an easy 7f and gets the former here. He ran a good race on reappearance to be third in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes over course and distance, and his one-and-a-half-length third in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot last October shows he can mix it at this elite level. He looks very competitive here at an each-way price.
Newmarket Tip 3: Quinault – 1pt each-way @ 17/2 (bet365)
Storm Could Strike for Guineas Glory
The season's first Classic has an open look with 15 runners declared for the eight furlongs of the Rowley Mile. Gstaad and Bow Echo have vied for market leadership, but Distant Storm represents Charlie Appleby, who has a good recent record in the race. Distant Storm won over 7f on both this track and the July course last season and was third to the ill-fated Gewan twice, including in the Dewhurst. Appleby clearly has the knack of getting them right for this and has decided to bring the selection back without a run, likely having had a gallop at the track instead. The step up in trip should be positive, and he goes well when fresh. At a bigger price than both Gstaad and Bow Echo, he offers value. Taking him each-way provides insurance, but he may prove good enough to win outright.
Newmarket Tip 4: Distant Storm – 1pt each-way @ 9/2 (Betfred)
Gamrai Has More to Give
Keep an eye out for market moves for Bellum Justum, who won over course and distance in a Group 2 this time last year and is beginning to look well treated. However, the suggestion is Gamrai. Trained by the Gosdens, this four-year-old improved on his first start since being gelded, winning a Kempton handicap (1m3f, AW) decisively in March. He left the impression that this extra furlong would benefit him, and we should see more from this unexposed offspring of Lope De Vega.
Newmarket Tip 5: Gamrai – 2pts win @ 5/2 (William Hill)
Free Horse Racing Bets
Each Saturday, Virgin Bet runs a money-back offer on one of the races shown on live ITV Racing. This week, it is the 13.45 at Newmarket, for which we have tipped Double Rush. If your selection does not win, you will receive your stake back in free bets up to £10. No opt-in is needed; just place a wager on the race. Only the win part of each-way bets is credited back.
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