RACING expert Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) picks out his best bet from Saturday’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
3:35 Newmarket | 2000 Guineas | ITV
The first classic of the season is here and it looks like a really good race. Plenty of high-class colts are lining up, the top stables are represented and it promises to be a hugely competitive renewal.
It always involves a certain amount of guesswork with horses returning from long absences but I’ve had my eye on one all winter and I’m pretty confident here.
Masar (9/2 Sportingbet) was a high-class juvenile and was very unlucky in the Breeders Cup Juvenile when meeting all sorts of trouble in running. He was tried on dirt over the winter, which didn’t work out, however on his return to turf in the Craven he was incredibly impressive.
I still feel he has a little bit to find to win here but he may well do so.
Elarqam (11/2 Ladbrokes) is beautifully bred with his parents both winning classics. He looks to have inherited plenty of their talent too and boasts an unbeaten record after two starts.
He will appreciate the extra distance here and may turn out to be top class but I’ve not backed him.
Expert Eye (11/1 BetVictor) was hugely impressive at Gooodwood last season but he’s not shown anything like that form since. He was second in the Greenham last time but I expect him to leave that form well behind.
His trainer is a master at producing one for the big day and he strikes me as an each-way player.
Saxon Warrior (7/2 Bet365) is unbeaten in three starts and ended the season by winning the Racing Post Trophy.
All of his starts have been over a mile so it’s safe to assume nothing in the field will be finishing better, but my concern is whether the trip is on the short side. I think this may be a prep for the Derby and whatever he does here will be a bonus.
Gustav Klimt (7/2 BetBright) is my idea of the winner here. He won at the track last season in the Superlative Stakes, where despite the short margin of victory, he put up a visually impressive performance showing a superb attitude.
He won well on his seasonal debut and will be cherry ripe here. I expect him to be very hard to beat and give his trainer Aidan O’Brien yet another classic winner.
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2000 Guineas – Gustav Klimt to win (7/2 BetBright)
