Guineas Glory and Speed Demons Light Up Berkshire
Well now, what a day we've had at Newbury! The Berkshire track served up a proper feast of racing that had everything from Group 1 glory to handicap heroics. The good to firm going was absolutely perfect for the speedsters, and by Christ, they didn't disappoint us.
The centrepiece 2000 Guineas lived up to all the pre-race hype, with Gstaad showing why he carried that lofty 119 rating into battle. Ryan Moore had the Godolphin colt perfectly positioned throughout, and when he asked the question in the final furlong, the response was emphatic. Distant Storm ran a blinder in second for Buick, while Bow Echo couldn't quite match his Doncaster heroics but still ran with plenty of credit.
But here's the thing about Guineas day - it's not just about the headline act. The supporting cast served up some absolute crackers, and there's plenty to take from this Newbury racecard for the weeks ahead.
Palace House Fireworks as Asfoora Shows Her Class
The Group 3 Palace House Stakes was an absolute belter, and fair play to Asfoora for putting the boys in their place. Oisin Murphy gave her a peach of a ride, tracking the early pace before unleashing that devastating turn of foot that's made her such a force over this minimum trip.
What caught my eye though was the run of Quinault in third. Marco Ghiani's mount was slowly away but finished like a train, and I'd be very surprised if we don't see him winning a Listed race before the summer's out. The way he picked up in the final furlong suggests he's got bags more to offer, and connections would be wise to keep him to this sharp five-furlong trip.
Rumstar ran another solid race in fourth, and Rob Hornby continues to get the best out of this honest performer. He's the type who'll pick up a decent prize when the handicapper gives him half a chance.
Heritage Handicaps Throw Up Future Stars
The Suffolk Stakes over a mile and a furlong was a proper test of stamina, and Bullet Point looked the business under Tom Marquand. This fellow has been knocking on the door all season, and the way he quickened clear in the final two furlongs suggests he's ready to step up to Pattern company.
But the horse that really caught my attention was Fifth Column in fourth. William Buick had him perfectly positioned throughout, and while he couldn't quite get there on the day, the manner of his finish was seriously impressive. He's one to follow religiously over middle distances - mark my words, he'll be winning a Group race before the season's out.
The shorter Heritage Handicap was won in good style by Invictus Gold, but again it was the placed horses that had me reaching for my notebook. El Bodon ran a stormer under Hollie Doyle, and this mare is clearly thriving this season. She's got that turn of foot that wins races, and I wouldn't be surprised to see her step up in class sooner rather than later.
Talking Horses and Ones to Follow
Right, let's talk about the horses that'll be lighting up our betting slips in the coming weeks. From today's action, I've got several firmly penciled in as ones to follow.
Bellum Justum was a taking winner of the Boodles Handicap over the extended mile and a half. P.J. McDonald gave him a copybook ride from the front, and the way this horse galloped through the line suggests there's plenty more to come. He's bred to stay further, and I'd love to see him tried over two miles in due course.
In the Ellen Chaloner Stakes, Flora of Bermuda ran a cracker under James Doyle despite not getting the clearest of runs. This filly has always shown bags of ability, and on this evidence, she's ready to take her game to the next level. Keep her on the right side of your notebook for the big sprint handicaps later in the season.
Down in the lower grades, Thaluna caught the eye in the confined handicap. Ryan Moore doesn't often take rides in Class 4 company unless he sees something special, and the way this one quickened clear suggests we'll be seeing him in much better company before long.
Looking Ahead: Where Next for Today's Stars?
Gstaad will obviously be pointed towards the Derby now, and on today's evidence, he'll take some stopping at Epsom. The way he handled this stiff mile suggests the extra four furlongs will be right up his street, and Godolphin will fancy their chances of landing the big one.
Asfoora looks tailor-made for Royal Ascot, and I'd expect to see her lining up in either the King's Stand or the Platinum Jubilee. She's got that electric turn of foot that wins big races, and on good ground, she'll be hard to beat.
As for the handicappers, well, that's where the real fun begins. The summer festivals at York, Glorious Goodwood, and the rest will be perfect hunting grounds for the likes of Bullet Point and Fifth Column. These are the horses that turn punters into prophets, and I'll be keeping a very close eye on where they pop up next.
All in all, a cracking day's racing that reminded us why Newbury remains one of the premier tracks in the country. Roll on next week's action - if it's half as good as today, we're in for a treat!
