Godolphin relying on Outstrip alone to deliver Classic glory
Published:Guineas weekend is under a week away but the big powers of the training world are still moving their heavy artillery into position.
Godolphin confirmed that they will be single-handed in their bid to win the first Classic of the season with their Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Outstrip (25/1) the only runner to carry the famous royal blue silks in the 2,000 Guineas.
The other two possible runners from one of flat racing’s two powerhouses, True Story and Be Ready were absent from a list of 17 five-day declarations.
Ballydoyle has four representatives left in the field, headed by second favourite Australia (5/2) who will be making his season reappearance on the Rowley Mile.
Interestingly, the runner-up to Charlie Appleby’s charge at Santa Anita, Giovanni Boldini (33/1) looks set to take his chance alongside stablemates War Command (10/1) and Oklahoma City (66/1).
Richard Hannon has also left himself with options with third favourite and Craven Stakes winner Toormore (7/1) heading the challenge from Herridge Stables in the trainer’s first year with his name above the door.
Night of Thunder (25/1), who was best of the rest behind favourite Kingman (Evens) in the Greenham and Free Handicap winner, Shifting Power (33/1) who like Toormore is unbeaten, complete the team.
Europe also are preparing to be well represented with Mikel Delzangkes’ Bookrunner (33/1), Prix Djebel winner Charm Spirit (25/1) and the Spanish star Noozhoh Canarias (16/1) from Enrique Leon’s stable set to line-up.
For Sunday’s 1000 Guineas, Manton trainer Brian Meehan is considering running his stable star J Wonder (16/1) at Newmarket instead of heading of Longchamp for the French equivalent as originally planned.
The filly impressed her handler to such an extent that a change of targets was now very possible, Meehan said: “We’re expecting a big run after that. She looked tremendous and has improved for Newbury. We were favouring the French race but are now seriously considering the 1,000 Guineas.”
Clive Brittain’s Rizeena (7/2) remains the favourite for the second Classic of the season, however, she will have to overcome the challenge from the continent with Andre Fabre’s Miss France (8/1) and the Philippe Sogorb-trained Vorda (16/1) making the journey across the Channel.
Euro Charline’s (20/1) owners Team Valour will pay the £30,000 to supplement their daughter of Myboycharlie after she impressed her handler Marco Botti in a gallop at the weekend.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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