UK Horse Racing Tips

The first Classic, the 2,000 Guineas, is less than two weeks away and, while 68 horses stood their ground at the latest declaration stage, against a maximum field size of 25, now could be the time for bold ante post punters to take the plunge. The Master of Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien, holds his usual strong hand, with Gustav Klimt and Saxon Warrior, to name but two, while impressive Craven Stakes winner Masar, trained by Charlie Appleby and Elaqarm, trained by Mark Johnston, are both well to the fore in the ante post betting market.

In fact, at the time of writing, it’s 16/1 bar four, which brings in Expert Eye and Roaring Lion, beaten favourites in the Greenham Stakes and the Craven Stakes, respectively, so there appears to be a little room for manoeuvre each-way punters prepared to speculate at potentially lucrative odds.

Notwithstanding the defeat of Roaring Lion in the Craven Stakes, John Gosden is operating at a strike rate of 10-31 (32%) in the last 14 days and it’s one of his three other 2,000 Guineas entries, Kings Shield, that takes the eye at 66/1. He’s by Scat Daddy, better known as a sire of sprinters, including Lady Aurelia and Caravaggio, but out of a mare by the superbly bred Miesque’s Son, so he has plenty of stamina in the bottom half of his pedigree. Indeed, he’s already proved himself over a mile with a decisive win in a small conditions race at Kempton in early April. Exactly what that form amounts to is anybody’s guess, but having won both starts with a minimum of fuss, Kings Shield falls into the proverbial “could be anything” category and looks worth a small interest.

Selection: Newmarket 3.20 Kings Shield each-way (66/1 with William Hill and elsewhere)

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