The final day of the Newmarket meeting this weekend is headlined by the 1,000 Guineas, which takes centre stage on Sunday.
This Group 1 contest has gone the way of some of the best fillies we have seen in recent years, and the 2024 edition has a fascinating field with depth to it.
Sixteen runners are set to assemble for the first fillies’ Classic of the season and our expert has picked out a pair to follow at nice prices.
1,000 Guineas 2024 odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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1,000 Guineas 2024 predictions
Ylang Ylang respected for O’Brien
Aidan O’Brien is often mob-handed in the British Classics, so his relying solely on Ylang Ylang in the 1,000 Guineas has to be respected.
This race has typically not been as kind to the trainer as the colts’ equivalent, the 2,000 Guineas, and in time this filly is bound to be at her best over a longer trip.
However, if Ylang Ylang can capture this first time out, there is every chance that a Classic double could be on the cards with the Oaks later in the campaign.
French raider could be the one to beat
Potentially the classiest runner of all is French raider RAMATUELLE, who has been aimed at this race by trainer Christopher Head.
Ramatuelle is best known as a sprinter as she landed the Prix Robert Papin over 6f before almost following up in the Group 1 Prix Morny over the same distance at two, just failing to repel the top-class Vandeek.
This daughter of Justify tried 7f for the first time on her comeback in the Prix Imprudence, a key fillies’ Classic trial in France. While she failed to justify a short price that day, it is worth noting that Head would almost certainly have left her undercooked. It is the French way to use trial races as merely preps for the big day.
She saw out the trip nicely on heavy ground and there is little reason she will not stay a mile on a quicker surface at Newmarket. This track suits prominent racers and we can expect a bold show.
Selection: Ramatuelle @ 8/1 with BetMGM
Burke has a strong hand
Karl Burke saddles two runners and the ground will play a big part in determining whose claims are stronger, with conflicting weather forecasts in the build-up to the big one.
Fallen Angel has the stronger form by virtue of her Moyglare Stakes success on a sound surface, with soft ground likelier to blunt her sharp turn of foot.
Conversely, DARNATION loves the mud and her owners will be praying for overnight rain. She is overpriced in relation to See The Fire, who is closely matched with Ylang Ylang on Fillies’ mile running.
Darnation defeated See The Fire in good style in the May Hill at Doncaster and remains a top prospect. Her disappointing sixth in the Prix Marcel Boussac on her final run at two should be ignored as the ground was riding quicker than the official going description that day at Longchamp.
Each-way: Darnation @ 33/1 with BetMGM
