The Wine Tipster: “Cemhaan (nap) won this as a well-backed favourite last year”

THE final day of The QIPCO Guineas Festival features the QIPCO 1000 Guineas Stakes with a 20 – runner field and which is likely to be run on good going, given the forecast on Friday afternoon is showing only 1mm of rain for Sunday now, which is a big change from earlier in the week.

Tahiyra is rightly favourite here after her Moyglare success beating Meditate (reopposes here) and provided she can handle the experience must have a strong chance. Remarquee is a fascinating contender, who still looked pretty green at Newbury and could really step up again, whilst Polly Pott is the outsider who looks most capable of running a big race. The one runner who I struggled most with is Mawj, who will be having her eighth race, gets the trip, has run well at Newmarket previously and looks a rock solid each way option at Unibet 9/1 each way, yet I decided on Remarquee instead for the potential improvement. A fascinating 1,000 Guineas.

Enjoy whether at Newmarket or watching #athome on ITV or Racing TV.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

 

1.50 Newmarket – Howden Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (1m 6f)

Cemhaan (nap) won this as a well-backed favourite last year when marked up in my Unibet blog on what was his second start of the season, but he’d won on his reappearance too, so the fact he hasn’t been seen since November, when well held in the November Handicap, is of no concern. Cemhaan is 9lb higher this time around but that mark still looks workable, and after wind surgery, this does look the time to catch him with the George Baker team in fantastic form.

Unibet 7/1 each way

 

Sarsons Risk looked an improved performer on the flat when winning over 1m 4f on the July course last August, given that trip looked on the short side for him. The dual-purpose performer has had a hurdling campaign and won at Doncaster before being very highly tried at Aintree last time out.  That run is easily forgiven, but it does mean he comes here fit and will appreciate this longer trip on the flat. The ground will suit, he is likely to be front rank throughout and has an each-way chance at a big price.

Unibet 12/1 each way

 

3.00 Newmarket – Howden Dahlia Stakes Group 2 (1m 1f)

Astral Beau won three times at Newmarket last season over seven furlongs and was victorious in the heavy at Doncaster on seasonal debut when beating Brunch by four lengths over a mile. This is Astral Beau’s first run over this trip and this ground versatile type will keep improving.

Unibet 18/1 each way

 

3.40 Newmarket – QIPCO 1000 Guineas Stakes Group 1 (1m)

Tahiyra has been declared by Dermot Weld, who is yet to train a 1000 Guineas winner and this exciting filly has a strong chance of given the trainer a cause for celebration. This half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Tarnawa, has showed in two starts that she has absolutely loads of ability too. Tahiyra’s maiden win was impressive, however she took it to another level when beating market rival Mediate in the Group 1 Moyglare at the Curragh over seven furlongs with a tremendous late challenge ahead of moving clear.  Although she lacks that Newmarket course form and is having only her third start, this won’t prevent this exciting filly from victory here.

Unibet 5/2

 

Remarquee is a fascinating contender, who still looked very green on her second career start, after winning her sole appearance last season, when taking the Fred Darling at Newbury with an impressive turn of foot. This was a very eye-catching performance, with the question being now does she have the maturity to play a major role in the 1000 Guineas. This daughter of Kingman, trained by Ralph Beckett is a very exciting prospect and can run a big race.

Unibet 13/2 each way

 

Polly Pott won the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in tremendous style to make it four on the bounce and then never ran her race in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket to finish fourth to the now retired Commissioning, with the form from this race proving very strong in recent years. Her trainer for her two-year-old career Ed Dunlop has been working with Polly Pott’s new trainer Ben Pauling and if the current yard form can be turned around then Polly Pott could easily outrun her odds for each way players.

Unibet 50/1 each way