The 2000 Guineas, the first Classic of the season, takes centre-stage at Newmarket tomorrow on what is a sensational card which sees a host of top-class horses running.
Here are Danny Archer's race-by-race selections...
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Newmarket 2000 Guineas Day
1:50: Newmarket - Ballet Concerto 7/2 and Berkshire 16/1 Each Way.
Sir Michael Stoute's charge won very nicely in the Spring Mile at Doncaster last time and looks a horse to keep on the right side. The 3000,000gns purchase is a son of Dansili and whilst he is not related to a lot of decent horses, he kept on really well at Town Moor last time for Moore's urgings and despite a 7lb rise, I think he looks a typical Stoute older horse improver and there is certainly more to come from him over this extra furlong.
Berkshire at his best was a top-class individual who I first heard whisper's about as a young two-year-old. He went on to win the Chesham Stakes very impressively that season and injury has curtailed his career since. However, he had an ok season last term after a year off. This is his handicap debut and his trainer has a 23% strike-rate with handicap debutants. He could rate the each-way play at a price.
2:20: Newmarket - Washington DC 9/1 Each Way and Kimberella 16/1 Each Way.
Washington DC finally got his head back in front when rallying gamely at Navan last time to score. Moore is in the plate for today's contest and that victory would have boosted his confidence no end. Firmer ground shouldn't be a problem and he looks a cracking each-way bet.
Kimberella has to prove he can handle the step-up in class but he has looked oh so good in two starts for Manton handler Richard Fahey. Six furlongs is evidently his best trip but he looks sure to be staying on powerfully here.
2:55: Newmarket - Seventh Heaven 6/5 NAP.
Very tough to beat Aidan O'Brien's charge here who ran very well in the Dubai Sheema Classic last time as the softer going would not have suited the Yorkshire Oaks winner.
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A daughter of Galileo, some of her relatives also appreciated a firmer surface and despite only finishing fourth at this track in September 2015, I think she'll handle the dip with no problem and she looks a worthy favourite. I strongly fancy her to do the business under Moore.
3:35: Newmarket - Churchill (Advised at 6/4 in our ante-post preview), Eminent 15/2 Each Way and Lancaster Bomber 28/1 Each Way.
A winner of five of his six starts to date, the three-year-old son of Galileo was successful in two Group One events on his last two starts. He was an easy winner four and a half-length winner of the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh, before he justified 8/11 favouritism to win the G1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October.
On the latter occasion, O'Brien's charge had trouble in running but once he hit top gear, the Irish-bred gelding asserted smartly in the closing stages to win by a length and a quarter.
The step up in trip to one mile will certainly suit the strapping colt and he has showed that he can handle the Rowley Mile and all the undulations that come with the iconic track at HQ. He looks a worthy favourite despite not having a prep run and he will be ready for this event just like Gleneagles, who won this race in 2015 having also not had a prep run.
I also really like his stable-mate Lancaster Bomber at a massive price. The son of War Front led throughout in the Dewhurst and was caught close home by Churchill but thankfully unlike some of his other progeny, it looks like this son of War Front has trained on, which was highlighted by his cracking fourth in the UAE Derby at Meydan. The dirt did not suit him there as it became very muddy after heavy rain and he has previously run some cracking races on firm ground, which included a fine second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita in November 2016.
He might be able to lead here and he looks a massive price. I don't understand why Eminent has also drifted out in the betting overnight. A facile winner of the Craven Stakes last time, he kept on decisively that day and with course and distance form I think he is massively overpriced for the first Classic of the season.
4:10: Newmarket - Victory Angel 13/8 and Exmouth 8/1 Each Way.
Raised 11lb for his impressive victory over course and distance last time. He could still be ahead of the handicapper as he looked to have plenty in hand that day.
Exmouth was only eighth when being far too keen in a Group Three event in September and if going well fresh and learning to settle, he looks a potential improver entering handicap company here.
4:45: Newmarket - Khalidi 6/4.
I was impressed with John Gosden's charge last time who pulled clear of his rivals with a very smart colt at this track last time. He only won by a neck but he looked to have plenty in hand at the line and he should improve for his comeback run.
5:20: Newmarket - Son Of The Stars 7/4.
If you watched this horse win at Chelmsford last time, you will realise why he deserves favouritism as he showed a potent turn of foot to come clear of Prosper who won a Group race at Ascot on Wednesday. This son of Delegator registered a bloodless success and he should being by a 2000 Guineas second, transfer his All Weather form to the turf.
9/2 Win Double
2:55: Newmarket - Seventh Heaven.
3:35: Newmarket - Churchill.
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