An early 10-1 tip for the Betfred 2000 Guineas

The Godolphin team have won two of the past three renewals of the Betfred 2000 Guineas with Coroebus (2022) and Notable Speech (2024), and the boys in blue look set to hold a strong hand again this year with Shadow Of LightandRuling Court both prominent in the betting for the first Classic of the season at Newmarket on Saturday, May 3. 

The former has the stronger form next to his name having completed the Middle Park and Dewhurst double last year plus was crowned European Champion Two-Year-Old of 2024 with a rating of 120. 

That makes his credentials appealing here, but his stablemate also holds strong claims and looks the one to side with at the general 10-1 on offer. 

The Justify colt certainly had the ‘wow’ factor when creating a big impression on debut at Sandown last year - a race won by Kameko and Arabian Crown in the past - and was introduced at 12-1 for the Betfred 2000 Guineas following that stylish victory. 

He attracted strong support beforehand there and connections purchased him for €2.3m at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale, so he'd clearly been showing the right signs. His effort is also worth upgrading given he started slowly, and he did well to quicken up off a slow pace plus ran green under pressure. 

The sectionals he clocked, without being asked for maximum effort, and winning time compared to the Listed race on the card suggested he was a smart Group performer in the making.

Hopes were therefore high heading to the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes next time out where he was sent off the well-supported favourite, but appeared to produce a below-par performance behind The Lion In Winter, who broke the track record, and I’m willing to forgive Ruling Court given he may have found the ground a shade too quick. He was also not seen again afterwards, so something was probably amiss. 

The selection returned to action this year with an impressive success in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan in March where he cruised into contention before showing a smart turn of foot, and on that evidence, he’s taken a big step forward this year.

Admittedly, he did not beat strong opposition there, with the runner-up rated 19lb inferior to him, but it was the manner of the victory that was so striking, and the fact he was unleashed in March suggests he was more forward than expected for this time of the year. I am certainly taking that as a positive, especially as he has the advantage of race fitness now, and he also joined Shadow Of Light for a racecourse gallop at the Rowley Mile recently. 

Appleby said afterwards the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on April 25 was a possibility, but Ruling Court was not entered for that contest which indicates the Betfred 2000 Guineas is the target. 

Connections have also said he is a potential Betfred Derby contender this year (he's a best-priced 12-1 for the Epsom Classic) and while his pedigree hints he will stay further, his two victories suggest he has the speed to go close in a Guineas.

With the benefit of a run already this year, and the promise of more to come, his double-figure odds appeal based on what we have seen from this exciting prospect so far.

Ante-post selection: RULING COURT at 10-1 to win the 2025 Betfred 2000 Guineas.