Al Wukair in the 2000 Guineas
2.55 Newmarket: Jockey Club Stakes
Seventh Heaven and One Foot In Heaven are clear in the ratings and it could be worth taking on the short-priced favourite with the latter.
Seventh Heaven’s beating of Found in the Yorkshire Oaks is by far the best form here, but she has a 3lb penalty for that group one win. She ran a great race first time out in Dubai behind Jack Hobbs, with Postponed behind in third. One Foot In Heaven by contrast ran a little flat on his seasonal debut, but he has needed his runs after a break and should be spot on now for this.
He has a great turn of foot, just like his dam Pride and as long as he doesn’t get too detatched it could be the difference that could see him beat the favourite at 7/2.
3.35 Newmarket: 2000 Guineas Stakes
All attention is going to be on the Aiden O’Brien trained Churchill, who makes his seasonal debut in the 2000, like so many of his trainer recent winners of the race. After finishing third on his debut he then went on to win his next 5 races; including two group 1 wins in the National Stakes at the Curragh and the Dewhurst at Newmarket.
Andre Fabre sends over his undefeated horse, Al Wukair, who comes in to the this race with a similar profile to Makfi , who won the 2010 2000 Guineas for trainer Mikel Delzangles. Makfi came in to the 2010 edition after winning the Prix Djebel, prior to just two runs in minor events in France, which is the same as Al Wukair. Al Wukair looked impressive in defeating National Defense, the 2016 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner in the Prix Djebel, setting a track record in the process.
At 11/2, Al Wukair looks a great price, especially with Fabre’s horses in such great form in France and he does really well with any runners he sends over to Newmarket.
