Qipco 2000 Guineas: Essential runner-by-runner guide plus recommended bet

The first Classic of the season is the feature on a ten-race card at Newmarket on Saturday and all eyes will be on the hugely exciting Pinatubo who has the potential to be one of the greats judged on what he achieved last year.

The big question is, has he trained on? Charlie Appleby seems confident and believes his three-year-old “strengthened” over the winter.

Godolphin’s charge will bid to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Frankel and Camelot and become the eighth colt with an unblemished record in the past two decades to land the first Classic of the season.

Arizona looks Aidan O’Brien’s best chance in a race he has won a record-breaking ten-times. The master of Ballydoyle is also represented by New World Tapestry, Royal Dornoch and Wichita. It will be interesting to see what tactics the O’Brien team employ in an attempt to lower the colours of Pinatubo.

Here is a guide to all the contenders plus a verdict ahead of what is a strong renewal of the Qipco 2000 Guineas on paper.

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: James Doyle. Rating: 112.

General odds: 16-1.

Was only a length behind Kameko when third in the Solario Stakes and has finished runner-up twice at Newmarket.

Found only Military March too good when second in the Autumn Stakes on his final start in 2019 where he looked a bit awkward under pressure.

He’s a half-brother to Dante winner Telecaster and is one of James Doyle’s five to follow this season.

Al Suhail is sure to do better this year, although he may come into his own when stepped up to 1m2f-1m4f.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Jockey: Ryan Moore. Rating: 116.

General odds: 6-1.

Coventry Stakes winner who gave Pinatubo plenty to think about in the Dewhurst last year on ground that would not have suited.

Bred to be suited by a mile and was staying on at the finish when fifth in the Breeders’ Cup juvenile turf over that trip on his final start last year.

Has more experience than the majority of his rivals which will be an advantage and although he will need to raise his game again to defeat Pinatubo, it will be a surprise if he is not involved in the finish.

Trainer: Brian Meehan. Jockey: Jim Crowley. __Rating: --

General odds: 80-1.

Got up close home to record a surprise victory on debut in a 7f maiden at Newmarket in August.

The form has been franked as the runner-up, who was an expensive yearling and also making his debut, scored impressively next time out.

Cepheus is bred to stay a mile and the way he shaped on debut also suggested an extra furlong would suit plus Brian Meehan’s horses tend to improve for their first run.

Lacks experience here and it will be some performance to win this on just his second start.

Trainer: Kevin Ryan. Jockey: Andrea Atzeni. Rating: 108.

General odds: 66-1.

Went close at Group Two level twice last season, including when third behind Threat in the Champagne Stakes where he was forced to make the running and raced keenly throughout as a result.

He is bred to do better in time and a big-field race run at a stronger gallop will suit.

This step up in trip will also be a positive and although his form isn’t as strong as some of his rivals, plenty more can be expected from the son of Frankel this season who looks a shade over-priced at 66-1.

Trainer: Andrew Balding. Jockey: Oisin Murphy. Rating: 118.

General odds: 7-1.

Improving colt who made up for a couple of narrow defeats when impressing in the re-arranged Vertem Futurity Trophy on his final start.

Has a good attitude and the form of his victory in that Group One at Newcastle is strong plus has already proven he handles this course and distance.

Vibes have been positive from connections in recent weeks, with Andrew Balding saying he thinks the three-year-old is “the best we’ve had here for a good long while”.

Balding has been operating at a strike-rate of 36 per cent since the resumption of racing and Kameko is certainly one for the short list.

Trainer: Roger Teal. Jockey: Jason Watson. Rating: 102.

General odds: 25-1.

Unbeaten in two starts and the form of his debut win has worked out particularly well with four of the horses he defeated winning next time out, including future Group Three winner Max Vega.

Proved he handles Newmarket when winning a Group Three on his second start last year where he showed a game attitude.

Tip Two Win (50-1) went close for his trainer in this race in 2018 but Kenzai Warrior will need to take his form to another level to finish as close as his stablemate did.

Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Jockey: Harry Bentley. Rating: 105.

General odds: 14-1.

Created a huge impression when bolting up, despite breaking slowly and racing keenly, on debut in a 7f novice stakes at Newmarket where he defeated rivals who had the benefit of racecourse experience, plus he also produced a good time.

Probably best to excuse his defeat in the Vertem Futurity Trophy as he didn’t appear to act as well on the Tapeta surface and was also involved in a barging match early on which lit him up.

Ralph Beckett believes his three-year-old will also be suited by fast ground and is a contender that remains with a huge amount of potential.

Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor. Jockey: Hector Crouch. Rating: 113.

General odds: 16-1.

Two wins from two starts last year – both at Newmarket - and recorded a game success in a Group Three where he defeated Al Suhail.

Has an attractive breeding and is sure to stay further than a mile this season given he is by 2008 Derby winner New Approach and is a brother to 1m4f winner Clongowes.

Another who has bundles of potential this season and is sure to give a good account for his trainer who is seeking his third Qipco 2000 Guineas victory.

Trainer: Richard Hannon. Jockey:Sean Levey.

Rating: 115. General odds: 33-1.

Produced one of the most impressive performances of the year when bolting up by 11 lengths at York’s Ebor meeting last year and was found to be lame when finishing seventh in the Middle Park on his final start last season.

Steps up to a mile for the first time here – all three of his starts have been over six furlongs – so stamina poses a question mark.

However, it is hard to forget just how impressive he was at York, despite him getting the run of the race, and was given a quote of 12-1 for this contest afterwards.

Too soon to write him off yet for all that he does need to bounce back.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Jockey: Aidan O’Brien. Rating: 89.

General odds: 100-1.

Got off the mark in a 7f maiden at this track last year before disappointing in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle.

His third-place finish at Kempton on his seasonal debut will have at least blown the cobwebs away.

His form is well below the standard required to be in with a chance here and, although he has the benefit of a run this year, it is hard to see him making an impact.

Trainer: Charlie Hills. Jockey: Kieran Shoemark. Rating: 99.

General odds: 80-1.

Managed to make a winning debut despite looking in need of experience when successful at Goodwood last year.

Disappointed in a Group Three on his next start before finding Wichita too good at Newmarket on his final run.

Has plenty of work to do based on his three efforts in 2019 and is hard to make a case for.

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: William Buick. Rating: 128.

General odds: 10-11.

Became the highest-rated juvenile in 25 years after a stellar season last year and ended the season six from six, with the highlight being his nine-length romp in the National Stakes at the Curragh.

This will be the Godolphin-owned colt’s first start over a mile, but it is hard to believe he will not stay an extra furlong given he won the Dewhurst on soft ground.

Has more experience than most, has the best form and will be extremely hard to beat if he has progressed again.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Jockey: Tom Marquand. Rating: 110.

General odds: 33-1.

Ended 2019 on a high with victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes over course and distance in which he defeated Kameko.

Improved for the step up to a mile there and remains unexposed over this trip. Kameko has improved again since and it would be wise to believe Andrew Balding’s charge will finish in front of Royal Dornoch this time.

Deserves to take his chance in this contest but others are more persuasive.

Trainer: Hughie Morrison. Jockey: P J McDonald. Rating: --

General odds: 50-1.

Made the perfect start when winning a 1m novice stakes at Kempton in December.

Hard to know how good that form is as the second and third were both making their debut and haven't run since, although the runner-up is a half-brother to Thunder Snow and held some fancy entries.

Clearly has a bright future but lacks experience and a watching brief is required.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Jockey: Frankie Dettori. Rating: 114.

General odds: 14-1.

Produced an impressive performance when landing a Group Three at Newmarket in September and ran with credit when third behind Pinatubo in the Dewhurst.

Shaped better than the bare result suggests in that Group One contest as he took a keen hold and the going would not have suited.

Highly likely to progress again this year and it will be no surprise if he finished in the frame under Frankie Dettori.

There is no doubting Pinatubo is the one to beat but I would rather back a horse each-way at a decent price in a field full of exciting three-year-olds.

KINROSS has already proved he handles Newmarket and his debut effort was one of the most impressive performances I have seen from a newcomer at the track.

Plenty went wrong for him in the Vertem Futurity Trophy and it is best to draw a line through that run.

He ran keenly in both his starts last year, so this big-field contest where a good gallop looks assured will certainly suit.

Recommended bet: Kinross each-way at 14-1 with Bet365 who are paying four places