Rainbow View is currently trading at [2.2] on Betfair for Sunday’s 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Her form suggests she fully deserves to be that price. And some respected judges feel she ought to be a fair bit shorter. Racing UK and betmaverick.com analyst Graham Cunningham adds his view to the debate and pinpoints a couple of live classic longshots on day two of a tremendous weekend of racing at Newmarket.

Rainbow the standout form choice if her fiery temperament stands the Classic test

If she keeps her feisty temperament in check she will take a huge amount of beating. That is the general consensus over Rainbow View in the 1000 Guineas and, for all that it’s unoriginal, it’s a view that I agree with.

The weapons she brings to the Rowley Mile are plain for all to see. Her high cruising speed and striking turn of foot overwhelmed the best juvenile fillies around last year and any ratings service you care to look at will give her plenty in hand of her nearest rivals for the Sunday showpiece.

As ever when fillies move into their second season, Rainbow View now needs to show she has progressed over the winter and that her tendency to get worked up before her races isn’t going to become problematic.

But John Gosden doesn’t seem too worried on either score and, given that she is a daughter of the strong American stamina influence Dynaformer, it will come as a major surprise if she doesn’t hold her own physically from two to three.

In short, anyone planning to pile in feeling that she is just too good for this bunch might just find it worthwhile to see how she conducts herself in the preliminaries. But with her main danger Fantasia rerouted to Longchamp there could well be a pot of gold at the end of this Rainbow provided the favourite behaves herself.

* * *

Sleuth and Shimah appeal for those seeking possible Guineas longshots

The market says Serious Attitude is the main danger to Rainbow View, but anyone tempted to go overboard on Rae Guest’s filly would do well to consider what Jimmy Fortune said when asked to compare the two last October.

Fortune, who has never been given to excessively aggressive assessments of his mounts, had just ridden Serious Attitude to maintain her unbeaten record in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket but had no doubt as to the merits of the pair.

“There is no comparison,” he said. “I think Rainbow View is streets ahead of her and I think she would beat her over any distance.”

If this Fortune teller is right then the main danger to Rainbow View might just emerge from the bigger priced fillies.

And if I have read the tea leaves correctly then Super Sleuth and Shimah could both offer some each way mileage at their current Betfair prices of [40.0] and [24.0] respectively.

Super Sleuth was worn down late by Lahaleeb in the Fred Darling at Newbury, but she travelled like the best horse in the race for a long way and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if that easy cruising speed helps her outrun her odds by a fair margin here.

Irish raider Shimah has crept in under the radar with very little publicity in the build-up, but she’s bred to be a Group 1 filly and showed promise to match on her first two starts last season. She signed off with a fine second in the Moyglare Stakes on soft ground at the Curragh and, with this fast surface likely to suit, her chance of giving Rainbow View a race is much stronger than her current long odds would suggest.

* * *

Willie and Ruby the stars of Punchestown, but what did you make of Master Minded?

A few reflections on Punchestown to finish with this week.

The first point concerns Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. It’s hard to think a single jockey and trainer have ever dominated a major jumps Festival to such a degree and, with so many stars to look forward to, Ruby will have to show more diplomacy than Henry Kissinger to keep both Mullins and Paul Nicholls happy next winter.

Point two concerns Master Minded. His runaway Champion Chase success in 2008 suggested that he would monopolise the top two mile chases for years to come.

However, he was less impressive at Cheltenham this year and, irrespective of John Francome’s bizarre assertion that it made no difference, it’s clear to anyone with a functioning pair of eyes that Big Zeb threw away a golden chance of flooring the champ with his last fence blunder in the Kerrygold Champion Chase.

Master Minded’s rather laboured win at Punchy brought to mind something Ferdy Murphy said when analysing him recently.

“It was an awesome performance last year, but then you look at the page and he’s a five-year-old and five-year-olds really shouldn’t be doing that,” said Ferdy.

I suspect what he meant was that there can be a price to pay for precocity. Either way, the aura of invincibility surrounding the double M doesn’t look quite so strong as it used to be.

Lastly, what did you think of the late starts at Punchestown? Officials seemed well pleased with their decision to delay the first race until mid afternoon and some people suggested that the same plan might work well for British Festivals.

Initially, I was one of them. But can you imagine the scenes at York or Royal Ascot if the major meetings didn’t get under way until four o’clock?

The local publicans would be rubbing their hands. But I doubt the local coppers would be so chuffed.

This afternoon’s market movers from Goodwood, Newmarket, Thirsk, Uttoxeter and Punchestown.

Goodwood

2.20
Mystery Star 5.3 in to 3.9
King Supreme 5.2 in to 4.4
Cupids Glory 7.2 out to 13.0

2.55
Born Tobouggie 3.1 in to 2.64
Eva’s Request 9.8 out to 15.0
Infamous Angel 10.0 out to 16
Cassique Lady 24.0 in to 17.5

3.30
Aye Aye Digby 7.6 in to 5.2
Dazed And Amazed 7.6 in to 6.0

4.05
Reddy To Star 7.2 in to 3.6

4.40
Devil To Pay 6.4 in to 4.8

5.15
Defector 3.85 in to 3.0
Farncombe 2.56 out to 3.8

5.45
Little Pete 7.25 in to 3.8

Newmarket

2.00
Confront 5.3 out to 7.2
King Charles 13.0 in to 11.0
Road To Love 25.0 in to 18.0

2.30
Casual Conquest 2.78 in to 2.3
Bronze Cannon 7.6 out to 10.0
All The Aces 8.0 out to 12.0

3.10
Delegator 5.5 in to 5.0
Mastercraftsman 6.0 out to 8.2
Evasive 9.6 out to 12.5
Gan Amhras 17.0 in to 11.5

3.45
Amour Propre 5.2 out to 7.0
Chief Editor 5.7 out to 8.0
Strike The Deal 12.0 in to 9.2

4.20
Infiraad 2.72 in to 2.32
Calligrapher 3.9 out to 5.5

4.55
Spring Of Fame 2.4 out to 3.4

5.30
Photographic 4.4 in to 3.6
Good Again 4.4 out to 5.8

Thirsk

1.55
Here Now And Why 1.63 in to 1.43
Vilnius 5.8 out to 11.0

2.25
Lasso The Moon 2.24 out to 2.72

3.05
Hustle 6.0 in to 4.6
I Confess 17.0 in to 11.0

3.40
Ishe Mac 7.4 out to 11.0

4.15
Ansell’s Pride 12.5 in to 7.5
Charlie Tipple 7.6 out to 14.0

4.50
Mambo Spirit 14.5 in to 8.4

5.20
Paddy Bear 5.6 in to 4.4

Uttoxeter

1.40
Dream Sweeney 1.88 out to 2.36
Outlaw Tom 8.2 in to 6.4

2.45
Rio De Janeiro 3.3 out to 4.2
Federstar 13.0 in to 9.8

3.20
Prince Taime 4.5 out to 5.7

3.55
Exmoor Ranger 7.6 in to 6.2
Gypsy George 15.5 in to 11.5

5.00
Molanna View 18.0 in to 7.6

Punchestown

1.10
Wedger Paddy 7.6 in to 5.2

1.45
Serpentaria 1.96 out to 2.42

2.20
Agus A Vic 4.5 in to 3.35

2.55
Mourad 1.65 out to 1.92
Jumbo Rio 5.8 in to 4.6

Get the low down on the feel good Derby story of 2009…

Tom McCarthy’s Derby dream is still alive with General Quarters trading at [23.0] for a victory which would provide a perfect ending to a remarkable story.

Seventy-five-year-old ex-school teacher and cancer survivor McCarthy, who has only this horse in training, regretted not buying General Quarters in the sales ring but got another chance when claiming him at Churchill Downs for only $20k. He has since won the Blue Grass at Keenland.

If he wins tonight there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

Carl Harris tips a horse that ticks all the right boxes and makes his pick for the first classic of the season...

Jamie Spencer has a very big day ahead of him at Newmarket and can get off to a good start by landing the Suffolk Stakes Handicap aboard Flipando (2.00), for the on fire David Barron stable.

When the win market opened last night Flipando was put in at [10.0], which looks an exceptional price but, sadly, I fear, too generous. Flipando has formed a fruitful partnership with Spencer, coming here after a good third place in The Lincoln, on ground similar to today. A five pounds rise in the weights will be unlikely to stop him but he will have to get past Confront, trained by Sir Michael Stoute with Ryan Moore aboard.

Confront was a decent two-year-old and was a hot favourite for last year’s Greenham Stakes and the fact that these connections are keeping the four-year-old in training is significant. Fliapando is in form, ticks all the right boxes and is definitely one to get on in both the win and place market. I expect Flipando to be very well supported and advise taking the early prices.

After months of anticipation we finally arrive at the 2000 Guineas, the first classic of the season which promises to be just that, a classic! I backed Delegator (3.10) at 8-1 prior to The Craven Stakes, which was won impressively. I have laid back my initial stake and have a very nice free bet on Brian Meehan’s colt. Rip Van Winkle is likely to start favourite following sustained support but I was taken with what I saw in The Craven Stakes.

The time and the style of that win, in my eyes, was that of a 2000 Guineas Winner. A lethal turn of foot is the key attribute required to win a Guineas. Jamie Spencer will surely ride him closer to the pace as Jonny Murtagh will certainly look to get first run, as he did successfully 12 months ago on Henrythenavigator.

Delegator may not be an original choice, but in my defence he was my Ante-Post selection and I know there are many Racing Diary readers holding much bigger prices than are available today.

I would love to see Borderlescott (3.45) win the Palace House Stakes for Robin Bastiman who has shown what a good trainer he is with this high class sprinter, returning to Newmarket following his Group 1 Nunthorpe victory. This horse has won me a few quid and I will be on again today in what looks a very competitive race!

Read more from Carl Harris daily at www.racingdiary.co.uk.

The XY Factor heads to Newmarket for Saturday’s bet…..

Date: Saturday 2 May

Selected Race: Newmarket 4.20

Suggested Bets (with current Betfair win odds):
5 point win INFIRAAD [2.36]

Staking Plan Records (on £1 per point basis):
Yesterday: -4.00
This week: +70.00
All time: +91.58

VERDICT:
Safari Journey got as far as the first before unseating his rider last night. Moving swiftly on to Saturday and INFIRAAD can give Barry Hills another Newmarket success in the 7f handicap at 4.20. He has the least experiencein the field but judged by his course and distance success last time out has plenty of potential for further improvement and is a confident selection.

Nick Shiambouros reports on a great performance at Churchill Downs and looks ahead to tonight’s Kentucky Derby….

Last night I witnessed one of the greatest performances I have ever seen in a classic when Rachel Alexander won the Kentucky Oaks on the bridle by over 20 lengths Amazingly with the defection of Justwhistledixie she was available at [1.4] on Betfair as she sauntered home.

In the Kentucky Derby tonight there has been sustained money for Friesan Fire at [6.8] but I Want Revenge is still the Betfair favourite at [4.5].

Surprisingly, Desert Party has come in to [17.5].

As expected Quality Road has been scratched.

All the latest news on the going from today’s racing…

Racecourse: Goodwood
First Race Time: 2.20pm
Going: Good, Good to Firm in Places
Other Information: Slight shower overnight. A dry & sunny day is forecast
Going Stick 8.6

Racecourse: Newmarket
First Race Time: 2.00pm
Going: Good to Firm (watered)
Other Information: Dry overnight. A dry & sunny day is forecast

Racecourse: Thirsk
First Race Time: 1.55pm
Going: Good to Firm
Other Information: Dry overnight

Racecourse: Uttoxeter
First Race Time: 1.40pm
Going Chase: Good to Soft, Soft in Places
Hurdle: Good, Good to Soft in Places
Other Information: 0.5 mm of rain yesterday evening. Dry & sunny day is forecast

Racecourse: Doncaster
First Race Time: 5.40pm
Going: Good, Good to Firm in Places
Other Information: 0.5mm of rain overnight

Racecourse: Hexham
First Race Time: 5.55pm
Going: Good
Other Information: Dry overnight

Deal or no deal? For Nick Shiambouros the answers is an emphatic ‘yes.’

Today’s 80/20 is Strike The Deal in the 3.45 at Newmarket. This talented sprinter has been cracking heads with some pretty smart horses last year and ended the season with a good fifth to King’s Apostle at Ascot. I think this race should suit him down to the ground and he should run well. At present he is trading at [9.4] on the exchange.

This evening’s market movers from Bangor and Fontwell…

Bangor

5.55
My Condor 3.4 out to 4.2
Wages 25.0 in to 16.0

6.25
Thumbs Up 2.12 out to 2.72
Kack Handed 5.5 in to 3.95
Rouge Et Blanc 13.0 in to 9.6
Dona 13.0 in to 8.2

6.55
Folie A Deux 3.85 in to 2.8

7.25
Bronzesmith 16.0 in to 11.0

7.55
Worship The Stars 3.72 in to 2.74
Thirtytwo Red 8.2 in to 6.6

8.25
Good Spirit 13.5 in to 8.8
Like A Duke 17.5 in to 14.0
Viscount Rossini 9.6 out to 23.0

Fontwell

5.40
Benhego 3.55 in to 2.56
Kotkimix 3.5 out to 5.6
Stage Acclaim 6.4 out to 8.2

6.40
Heir To Be 2.2 out to 3.0
Isle De Maurice 3.9 in to 3.45

7.10
Mr Big 4.2 out to 5.0
Sesame Rambler 12.5 in to 9.4
Sandymac 17.0 in to 9.6
Free Gift 8.4 out to 13.5
I Hear Thunder 9.0 out to 12.5

7.40
Touch Of Fate 8.2 in to 7.0

8.10
Cavallini 2.82 in to 1.98

Henrythenavigator addeed his name to a glorious roll-call of winners last year, Malcolm Pannett identifies some of the other notable victors and runners in the 200 year history of the Newmarket classic.

The 2000 Guineas is one of the most pre-eminent races of the flat season. It is currently the first Classic of the season to be run and also the first leg of the colts’ Triple Crown. Accordingly the roll of honour is littered with the legends of the turf.

Inaugurated by the Jockey Club in 1809, under the aegis of Sir Charles Bunbury, the name reflects the original guaranteed prize money on offer. That purse didn’t go far from its source as the first winner Wizard, ridden by Bill Clift, was owned by Christopher Wilson a senior member of the Jockey Club.

Bunbury himself owned the 1813-winner Smolensko who became the first of 34 horses to go on to win the Derby, the most recent being Nashwan in 1989. Of those 15 also won the St Leger to gain the Triple Crown starting with West Australian (1853) trained by John Scott who is the winning most handler with seven winners of the 2000 Guineas between 1842 and 1862.

The others to complete the Triple Crown, named after King Lear’s head attire, are Gladiateur (1865), Lord Lyon (1866), Ormonde (1886), Common (1891), Isinglass (1893), Galtee More (1897), Flying Fox (1899), Diamond Jubilee (1900), Rock Sand (1903), Pommern (1915), Gay Crusader (1917), Gainsborough (1918), Bahram (1935) and Nijinsky (1970).

The emphasis of modern breeding on speed over stamina makes it unlikely that the list will increase.

Newmarket-based Jem Robinson holds the record for riding most winners with nine 2000 Guineas successes on his home track between 1825 and 1848. While Sue Magnier has co-owned six winners of the race in the past 12 years, including last year’s 200th anniversary-winner Henrythenavigator, beating the previous shared record of the 4th Duke of Grafton and 5th Earl of Jersey who owned five each outright.

Three winners have been owned by reigning monarchs; Edward VII’s Minoru (see below), George VI’s Big Game (1942) and the Queen’s Pall Mall (1958).

In 1980 Nureyev, who was named after the famous Russian dancer, was faced with a wall of horses blocking his passage. Instead of going around Philippe Paquet decided on the direct route and barged his way through. Nureyev won by a head but was disqualified and placed last by the stewards with Known Fact inheriting the victory.

Other notable winners include Sir Tatton Sykes (1846), who missed out on the Triple crown as in the Derby his rider was drunk; Sceptre (1902), the over-raced winner of four Classics; Brigadier Gerard (1971), joint-second highest rated horse by Timeform who beat Mill Reef and My Swallow in a memorable renewal; Dancing Brave (1986), subsequent Arc-winner; Zafonic (1993), European Champion Two-Year-Old and the enigmatic ‘gorgeous’ George Washington (2006).

Only two runners competed in 1829 and 1830, Rockavon boasts the longest starting price when he sprung a 66-1 surprise in 1961 while Moslem and Formosa dead-heated in 1868.

100 years ago – Victory for the King with Minoru who obliged at 4-1 with favourite Bayardo only fourth. The son of Ascot Gold Cup-winner Cyllene added to Edward VII’s Classic haul by taking The Derby as well. However he failed in the St Leger and was therefore unable to emulate Diamond Jubilee who had won the Triple Crown nine years before when his owner was Prince of Wales.

25 years ago – An exceptional renewal saw El Gran Senor assert his authority over a quality field including Chief Singer, Lear Fan, Rainbow Quest, Keen and the French-trained Bountiful. Vincent O’Brien’s son of Northern Dancer took up the running from the pace-setting Lear Fan just before the furlong pole and had two and half lengths to spare over Chief Singer at the line.

10 years ago – A win for Frankie Dettori on 10-1shot Island Sands who led the far side group throughout. The son of Turtle Island had to pull out all the stops to hold Enrique who had been momentarily stopped in his run three furlongs out but ran on bravely to get to within a neck with Mujahid third. Island Sands disappointed in the Irish version then finished second a couple of times in France before picking up a consolation win in a conditions stakes at Haydock two years later.

Five years ago – With the stalls positioned in the centre of the course the field sub-divided into many groups and were spread out all over Newmarket. Haafhd slipstreamed Golden Sahara, a pacemaker for Snow Ridge, moving to the lead at the two furlong marker. The son of Alhaarth, who ended his season with victory in the Champion Stakes, saw out the trip well eventually repelling runner-up Snow Ridge by a length and three quarters. Azamour and Grey Swallow followed them home while favourite One Cool Cat failed to fire managing to beat only one of the 14-strong field.

Last Year – A classic finish to celebrate the Classic’s 200th birthday as Henrythenavigator joined New Approach at the furlong pole. The son of Kingmambo got his head in front but the subsequent Derby-winner wouldn’t give in and the pair battled all the way to the line with Johnny Murtagh’s mount just prevailing by a nose with four lengths back to Stubbs Art in third. Henrythenavigator added the Irish version and the St James’s Palace Stakes and ended his career finishing second to Raven’s Pass in both the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The XY Factor heads to Bangor for Friday’s bet…..

Date: Friday 1 May

Selected Race: Bangor 8.25

Suggested Bets (with current Betfair win odds):
4 point win SAFARI JOURNEY [3.2]

Staking Plan Records (on £1 per point basis):
Yesterday: -4.00
This week: +74.00
All time: +95.58

VERDICT:
After the boom came the bust yesterday with Ithbaat never really looking like getting the better of Henry Cecil’s Hyades. Safari Journey wasn’t over impressive when landing the odds at Newton Abbot last time out but might be capable of a little further improvement and defying his penalty.

With Infamous Angel’s stamina in doubt and Eva’s Request possibly not at her peak after a stint in Dubai, this may revolve around the trio that dominated a similar event at Kempton 3 weeks ago. Born Tobouggie won decisively that day but incurs a penalty and might find Perfect Star and Scuffle tougher propositions now…

Born Tobouggie improved through 2008 and again when winning a listed race at Kempton on her return, from Perfect Star and Scuffle, making most. Another bold showing is on the cards despite a 3-lb penalty.

Eva’s Request has every chance on her best form, notably when winning an Ascot handicap last September, but she was well held in two starts in Dubai in February and on her return to this country in the Lincoln.

Cassique Lady is a thrice-raced filly who won her first two starts for Tommy Stack in Ireland last summer (sold 65,000gns at December Sales). She needs to improve and it is doubtful that the drop in trip will help.

Perfect Star is a lightly-raced mare, seen only three times in 2008 but she did win a handicap at Ascot in August. A mile seems her best trip, and she should get closer to Born Tobouggie than on her polytrack debut recently.

Scuffle completed a hat-trick last summer, shaping as though up to making her mark in this company. She was behind Born Tobouggie and Perfect Star on her return when her stable were quiet but should be straighter now.

Infamous Angel was a useful juvenile, when landing the Group 2 Lowther Stakes in August. She was well adrift on softer going at Newbury a fortnight ago on her return and she has her stamina to prove at this trip.

Lady Francesca was highly tried as a two-year-old and showed what she can do when a short-head second in an Epsom maiden on her reappearance ten days ago. That form still falls some way short of what will be required here, though.

Sawab showed promise when placed in a couple of all-weather maidens in April, but needs to raise her game considerably to get off the mark in this much classier contest.

Geoffrey Riddle caught up with the Manton handler ahead of Delegator’s run in the 2,000 Guineas.

On Thursday April 9 the odds about Delegator winning Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket were slashed by high street bookmakers and Betfair traders alike. The Dansili colt had just put in a sparkling display on the Manton gallops for his trainer, Brian Meehan, and Victor Chandler for one were so impressed that they went 8-1 from 25-1.

“It really was a beautiful bit of work,” Meehan said afterwards.

“And we are very confident about his prospects in the 2,000 Guineas.”

Delegator went on to hose up in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket a week later, a performance that now sees him trade at [5.3] on Betfair for the first Classic of the season. You would love to be one of the lucky few who got on at prices in excess of [100.0] on Betfair. There are many who felt that the Craven was an inadequate test for a potential Guineas candidate, and the fact that runner-up Sans Frontiers was rated just 76, supports that view.

But Meehan is not worried about the form students who think that way, and he remains keen on his colt’s chances on the Rowley Mile.

“The horse has done everything that has been asked of him and he has done it at all the right places. He’s in good shape and he must have a great chance,” he told betting.betfair.

The colt’s finishing burst in the Craven was the most eye-catching aspect of that display, especially when you think back to last season’s Dewhurst, when he struggled markedly up the hill to finish fifth behind Intense Focus.

“He was a little green going up the hill in the Dewhurst,” continued Meehan.

“But he strengthened up over the winter. The Craven was a furlong further and he won that well.”

When asked to name the attributes that mark Delegator out as a colt of outstanding potential, Meehan had no hesitation. He said: “I would say his strength and temperament are his best assets. He’s a very strong, powerful colt.”

Delegator had a breeze over five furlongs on Thursday and a canter on Friday (today) that should have him spot on to tackle the challenge of his 16 other rivals. Delegator has been drawn 15, and that puts him slap bang next to Pure Poetry [130.0] and Gan Amhras [15.5]. Along with Ouqba [23.0], in stall 17, all three have the potential to act as pace-setters or pressers.

It also means that Mastercraftsman [6.8] is close at hand, and jockey Jamie Spencer will be keen to keep an eye on the movements of Pat Smullen aboard the Aidan O’Brien runner.

Spencer is a jockey who has the ability to polarise punters’ opinion, and there are many who feel that he leaves things just a little late. Meehan stressed, however, that Spencer was free to ride the race how he wanted.

“I don’t really give Jamie any instructions on how to ride Delegator. He’s ridden him twice and rides him a lot at home.”

Although Newmarket received rain on Monday, it has been dry since then, with clerk of the course Michael Prosser feeling the need to water on Wednesday, as well as on Friday.

Meehan will walk the course on Saturday morning and if the going is anything like it was in the Craven, Delegator will take his chance. The Irishman warned, however: “If it is any quicker than it was in the Craven, we’ll have to make an important decision. He’s in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.”

Whatever happens in tomorrow’s race, Meehan still has big ambitions for the other potential star that is stabled at Manton. Crowded House is being readied for a crack at the Dante Stakes at York in just under a fortnight’s time, en route to the big one at Epsom.

Like the detractors of Delegator, Meehan is quite happy to fob off any critics of his Derby prospect. There has been some suggestion that although Crowded House is by Arc winner Rainbow Quest, the influence of the miler Woodman on the dam’s side indicates that he may not stay Epsom’s 12 furlongs.

“I don’t really have an issue with him getting the trip,” Meehan continued.

“I think a Woodman mare is a bonus anyway, because Rainbow Quest was very strong over a mile and a half. I think that makes Crowded House the perfect horse. He’s got the perfect blend of speed and stamina.”

Of Meehan’s other horses in action this weekend, he is sweet on the chances of Exclamation in the 3.50 on Sunday. The four-year-old was gelded last year, and finished a creditable fourth to Tax Free on his reappearance in the Abernat Stakes. As the handicapper left well alone afterwards, Meehan sees the Heritage handicap as an ideal opportunity to test whether Exclamation’s Golden Jubilee entry is a serious one.

May is generally an important month for the development of two-year-olds, and although the Johannesburg colt Radiohead runs on Sunday, the Irishman nominated the Zafeen filly Secret Queen as the one to note down over the next few weeks.

It’s worth a lot more than 2000 and they don’t pay out in Guineas. Still, the first Saturday in May holds iconic status for Flat followers and Guineas weekend at Newmarket gets off to a flyer this Saturday when Delegator, Rip Van Winkle and company take centre stage on a stellar card. Racing UK and betmaverick.com analyst Graham Cunningham casts his eye over all the main 2000 Guineas contenders.

If you are having a bet on this Saturday’s 2000 Guineas then you are guessing. You may think you have an edge – and time may show that you do have an edge – but this is a Classic with so many imponderables that guesswork has to be a factor.

But there is guesswork and then there is educated guesswork. And, for what it’s worth, here are my educated guesses on all the main contenders for the first Classic of the season.

Delegator: I wish I had a tenner for every time some media pundit had said “he didn’t beat much in the Craven” over the last two weeks. The first point to make is that Delegator beat a field of largely unknown quantities there. And the second is that he treated them like selling platers with a sustained burst of acceleration that suggests he is a different horse than the one who finished fifth in last year’s Dewhurst. Other critics have wondered whether Jamie will find trouble on him. Don’t hold your breath for that. But do expect him to play a very significant role in the finish.

Rip Van Winkle: The literary Rip fell asleep for 20 years. His equine namesake dozed for only half a second in the Dewhurst, but it left him in a very poor spot and he did extremely well to finish so close considering Johnny Murtagh seemed to accept it wasn’t his day a fair way out. Two setbacks in his prep are plainly a concern – and O’Brien has hardly been shooting lights out this spring – but Murtagh has kept faith and I have always felt this colt has the makings of a high-class miler.

Mastercraftsman: Took a big walk in the Betfair market a couple of weeks ago but heads to HQ as a proven Group 1 performer based on his gutsy National Stakes success in the mud. However, I was a shade disappointed with his paddock appearance and his performance at Longchamp on his final start last year. Murtagh has deserted him, which is another negative, and he could be vulnerable to improvers.

Evasive: Some punters can’t resist a Stoute-trained improver in the Guineas, but for every King’s Best and Golan who delivers the goods there is a Perfect Stride or an Adagio who fails to fire. On the face of it Evasive has plenty to do just to hit the frame given that his official rating is just 108, but there was something about the way he put his Horris Hill rivals to bed that was very seductive. He’s another whose preparation hasn’t been trouble free, but I certainly won’t be laying him win or place.

Sea The Stars: Represents the excellent John Oxx ahead of the exciting Arazan, which warrants respect in itself. But is he really quick enough to win a Guineas on fast ground? If he does he will have departed from his pedigree – as he’s related to the mighty Galileo and Black Sam Bellamy – and he looked a galloper rather than a quickener when winning the Beresfor in a bunch finish. Do be surprised if he shows a striking turn of foot to beat this lot. Don’t be surprised if his Derby odds come tumbling down if he runs on to claim a share of the minor money.

Cityscape: Probably best to keep this one fairly brief. In short. I suspect he’s up against it at this level. Granted, he is progressive and his trainer Roger Charlton is adamant that he will improve for his reappearance when second in the Greenham at Newbury. However, he didn’t travel through the race like a Guineas winner to my eye. Put it this way, I’ll be poorer if he wins. Come to think of it, I’ll probably be poorer if he finishes placed, too.

Lord Shanakill: It’s not unusual for certain media people to looks back on a big race result and tell us “that winner was a big price with hindsight.” And that is just the sort of thing they will say if this likeable longshot springs a surprise. Karl Burke’s colt thrived last autumn, battling on heroically to finish second in the Dewhurst, and although he’s by a sprinter he shapes as if he might just stay a mile. If he does then he’s liable to run a good bit better than his current Betfair price of 20 plus suggests.

Finjaan: Extend the Lord Shanakill logic and you could argue that Finjaan represents even better value at [30.0] plus. After all he was only a nose behind the Lord in a three -way photo with Intense Focus, but the fact that Marcus Tregoning’s colt can be backed at such long odds indicates the layers feel he was flattered last October and I tend to agree with them. To my mind, Finjaan had the run of things in grabbing the stand rail on a pace favouring track in the Dewhurst. We might be saying “that was a big price” after the race. But I don’t think he’ll stay theis stiff mile well enough to hit the frame.

Gan Amhras: Jovial Jim Bolger has surprised the vast majority of punters again by declaring this colt rather than his Dewhurst hero Intense Focus. And the money has come for Gan Amhras as a result, but this son of Galileo has plenty to find the way I read the form book and a repeat of his battling second in a bunched finish to a big Sales race at the Curragh just won’t be good enough. Opposing Bolger can be very risky, but four words come to mind for this colt. Tempting place lay candidate.

* * *

Odd verdicts suggest one law for the rich and another for the poor

Two very questionable pieces of stewarding caught the eye this week.

One of them involved a relatively little known trainer and a journeyman jockey who combined to run a longshot in a northern maiden.

The other involved a leading southern trainer and an upcoming rider who joined forces in a handicap in the south.

The horse in the northern maiden was beaten almost 25 lengths having been chopped for room as the leaders got away from him, while the horse in the southern handicap took a walk in the market and was beaten four and a half lengths having been dropped out in rear then switched inside behind rivals at a crucial point in the home straight.

Lo and behold, the unfashionable connections were jumped on with fines and bans for failing to obtain the best possible placing, while the high profile outfit had no case to answer after the stewards finished their deliberations.

I have no vested interest in either camp, but setting one decision against the other leaves a very nasty taste while doing nothing to allay fears that some BHA officials are happy to pick soft targets while soft pedalling with more established figures.

In short, as Private Eye editor Ian Hislop once said: “If that’s justice, I’m a banana.”

All the betting moves from Punchestown, Lingfield, Musselburgh and Southwell.

Punchestown

4.20
Ballytrim, 4.3 out to 6.6
Hold The Pin, 5.5 out to 8.2

4.55
Equus Maximus, 3.2 out to 4.5
Golden Silver, 8.2 out to 12
Ravens Run, 26 in to 14

5.30
Punjabi, 3.95 out to 5.2
Muirhead, 7.6 out to 10
Sizing Europe, 24 in to 17

6.05
Cousin Vinny, 5.5 into 4.2

6.40
Copper Bleu, 2.6 out to 3.4
Zaarito, 2.8 out to 5
Puyol, 9.4 in to 6.4

Lingfield

1.40
Tryst, 4.1 in to 2.3
Euston Square, 3.3 out to 4
Learo Dochais, 16.5 out to 32

2.10
Art Jewel, 2.86 out to 3.85
Forget, 9.6 in to 8

2.45
Secret Witness, 5.2 in to 3.4

3.20
Swiss Diva, 4.7 in to 4
Jordaura, 6 in to 5

3.55
Mastership, 10.5 in to 8.4

4.30
Red Somerset, 4 in to 3.25

5.05
Montbretia, 4.5 in to 3.5
Lady Jane Digby, 9 in to 7.4
Whitcombe Ministe,r 7.6 out to 9.4
Beauchamp Viceroy, 11.5 in to 8

5.35
Sehoy, 4.5 in to 2.94
Scene Two, 3.7 out to 4.9
Curacao, 8.6 out to 15
Just Like Silk, 11.5 in to 8

Musselburgh

2.20
Dispol Grand, 6.4 in to 4.6
Fasliyanne, 6.2 out to 7.4

2.55
Saucy Girl, 2.04 out to 2.58
Ventura Cove, 7.8 in to 4.7

4.05
Cheveton, 3.94 in to 3.05

4.40
Zefooha, 11.5 in to 9

5.15
Opus Maximus, 9.2 in to 5.8

5.50
Mandalay King, 7 in to 5.8

Southwell

3.05
Madison Belle, 1.96 out to 2.83

4.15
Paddy Rielly, 2.4 into 1.96

5.25
Captain Dancer, 2.9 into 1.97
Just Five, 4.3 out to 6