Master trainer Aidan O’Brien seeks to add to his haul of ten Qipco 2,000 Guineas successes with the horse he has claimed is the most exciting he has ever trained.
The unbeaten City Of Troy impressed in his three starts last year, rounding off his campaign with a three and a half length victory in the Dewhurst Stakes.
He was crowned Europe’s champion two-year-old in January when O’Brien declared: “We didn’t have a horse as exciting as City Of Troy ever as a two-year-old. He looks very exciting and he looks like he’ll have no problem going up in distance.”
In fact victory at Newmarket could set City Of Troy on a path towards the British Triple Crown of the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger, a feat last achieved by the mighy Nijnisky in 1970.
His chief rival in the betting is Rosallion, the Richard Hannon-trained winner of last year’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
Qipco 2,000 Guineas runner guide and latest William Hill odds
1 Alyanaabii (Owen Burrows) - Jim Crowley 20-1
Won a Group 3 on the Rowley Mile then finished second to City Of Troy in the Dewhurst. Has family connections to a 1,000 Guineas winner and the great Nashwan. Each way chance at best.
2 City Of Troy (Aidan O’Brien) - Ryan Moore 8-13
We’ve been here before with the trainer’s hyped horses and don’t forget Auguste Rodin flopped 12 months ago when favourite. But City Of Troy delivered on the track last year and could be head and shoulders above his opponents.
3 Ghostwriter (Clive Cox) - Richard Kingscote 16-1
Unbeaten in three starts, including over this course and distance in the Royal Lodge, and may emerge as a more realistic Derby contender after this.
4 Haatem (Richard Hannon) - James Doyle 33-1
One of the most experienced in the field with ten runs under his belt. Was overlooked in the betting before landing the Craven Stakes in clearcut fashion and could outrun his odds again.
5 Iberian (Charlie Hills) - Tom Marquand 20-1
Finished behind Haatem at Goodwood last summer before winning a Group 2 at Doncaster. Below par when well behind City Of Troy in Dewhurst but unlikely to turn the tables.
6 Inisherin (Kevin Ryan) - Tom Eaves 33-1
Delivered in style when hotly fancied to get off the mark at Newcastle in March. Kevin Ryan has an uncanny knack of producing big runs from his Guineas runners, like last year’s 125-1 runner-up Hi Royal, so cannot be dismissed lightly.
7 Night Raider (Karl Burke) - Daniel Tudhope 14-1
A dark horse who has yet to race on turf. Recorded both wins at Southwell and, while highly regarded by his in-form trainer, could find this an altogether tougher test.
8 Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby) - William Buick 8-1
Three out of three at Kempton this year so won’t lack for fitness but his class for this contest is unproven despite plenty of interest in the betting for the Godolphin runner.
9 Rosallion (Richard Hannon) - Sean Levey 4-1
A Group 1 winner rated the best horse in a yard with a 2,000 Guineas pedrgree. Impressed when breaking track record to win the Jean-Luc Lagardere. Lacks a recent run and any rain would not be in his favour.
10 Task Force (Ralph Beckett) - Rossa Ryan 20-1
Only turned three-years-old this week but belied his relative youth to win two out of three and finish second in the 6f Middle Park last year. Another two furlongs further should not inconvenience him.
11 Ten Bob Tony (Ed Walker) - Saffie Osborne 50-1
There is some symmetry about a colt with his name running in the Guineas, but on all known form a bit of loose change may be the best connections can hope for.
Verdict
At his odds CITY OF TROY is too short to back so this may be an occasion to stand back and admire a new superstar. That is the expectation, if you accept O’Brien’s high opinion of the colt. The Auguste Rodin bubble burst at Newmarket 12 months ago but that colt did come back to win the Derby and justify his trainer’s faith. The value lies among the best of the rest of which Haatem and Task Force are strong candidates to make the frame.
1-2-3
City Of Troy, Haatem, Task Force