ITV Racing Tips: Perfect Power to prove too strong in Greenham Stakes
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We are two weeks away from the first Classic of the Flat season, the 2,000 Guineas, and even though some believe Native Trail already has the race sewn up, there are others who will be hoping otherwise.
Newbury’s Spring Trials meeting stages warm-ups for both the colts and fillies Newmarket Classics and there is still a chance something could emerge to threaten Godolphin and Ballydoyle’s stranglehold on the big prizes.
The Greenham Stakes is the 2,000 Guineas trial which features two dual Group 1 winners in Angel Bleu and Perfect Power and the Dubai Duty Free, otherwise known as the Fred Darling Stakes, is for the fillies. Godolphin’s Wild Beauty is also a top-level winner in that.
The two races anchor the ITV schedule which also shows the John Porter Stakes and Spring Cup from Newbury with four races from Musselburgh.
Coverage begins on ITV4 from 13:10 and we have previewed the three most significant races of the day in our ITV Racing Tips.
There are seven well matched challengers with just 7lb between them on ratings in the race better known as the John Porter.
Ilarab and Max Vega have course form having finished first and second in the St Simon Stakes at the end of last season. The filly Invite is an interesting contender having been thought good enough to tackle Group 1 company at Ascot.
But they are at a disadvantage to Raymond Tusk who has already had the benefit of a run. The seven-year-old went hurdling over the winter and he clearly benefited as he returned to the Flat at Doncaster to win by four lengths.
It was his first win for three years but also evidence he still has plenty to offer under trainer Alan King.
Alcohol Free gave this often-underwhelming trial a shot in the arm by winning this and going on to become on the season’s top milers last year.
Wild Beauty sets the standard having won Group 1 in Canada for Godolphin before finishing fifth behind 1,000 Guineas favourite Inspiral in the Fillies’ Mile. Charlie Fellowes has high hopes for Eve Lodge but Jumbly could be the main threat to the Charlie Appleby filly.
A daughter of Group 1 winner Thistle Bird, Jumbly showed the potential to reach similar levels when taking the Radley Stakes by four-and three-quarter lengths. She could be one to follow.
The Greenham Stakes, won by the mighty Frankel 11 years ago, has not been won by the 2,000 Guineas winner since but has thrown up plenty of stars, including Kingman, Muharaar and Mohaather, while Night Of Thunder won the Guineas after finishing second behind Kingman.
There are only six runners, but a strong line-up headed by Angel Bleu and Perfect Power, who won two Group 1 races apiece last year.
Angel Bleu showed all his best form in testing ground, and he won’t get that at Newbury. Perfect Power is the one to be on with the colt showing he could be among Richard Fahey’s best horses by winning at Royal Ascot, the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes.
He suffered his only defeat when an unlucky fifth in the Richmond Stakes after which Paul Hanagan lost the ride to Christophe Soumillon, who thinks enough of him that he is coming over to ride him at Newbury. That’s a tip in itself.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday 16th April
13:32 Musselburgh – Royal Mile handicap
13:50 Newbury – John Porter Stakes
14:04 Musselburgh – Silver Arrow handicap
14:25 Newbury – Fred Darling Stakes
14:39 Musselburgh – Holyrood handicap
15:00 Newbury – Greenham Stakes
15:14 Musselburgh – Queen’s Cup
15:35 Newbury – Spring Cup
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
