Grafting for wages at Newmarket on Sunday....

Saturday, 3rd May 2025

Grafting for wages at Newmarket on Sunday….

Pointers for the 1000 Guineas….

Alert: If you missed selections for this afternoon’s racing at Newmarket & Thirsk – pick them up here….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the big weekend handicaps….

The 1000 Guineas is the feature at Newmarket tomorrow….

…. the off time is 3.35….

…. and my pick of the prices is ELWATEEN at 28s, 25s & 20s….

I’m also on BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS in the 2.55 – he’s up at 10s & 9s….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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The 1000 Guineas – Newmarket (3.35) – has produced just four winning favorites since 2000….

…. 12 winners were sent off outside the top three positions in the betting at the off….

…. 14 winners over the qualifying period at 10s or bigger make this a race worth having a crack at if you like a price….

…. the average winning SP over the last quarter of a century amounts to 13s….

…. and plenty of horses hit the frame at BIG prices….

These are encouraging stats for contrarian punters….

They tell us this is a race replete with a history of ‘shocks’….

…. and that it’s well worth opposing consensus opinion….

…. and that’s the way I’m going….

Earlier this week I put up ELWATEEN as one to think about for the bat swingers to think about….

You can still get 28s, 25s & 20s about her….

…. and with just ten going to post I see no reason to abandon her or to pick out another horse….

Her sire Dubawi is 4/12 in the 2000 Guineas….

…. and whilst he’s never managed to win a 1000 Guineas….

…. his progeny is clearly suited better than most to this top-level early-season test of a 3yo horse on the stiffest mile in the game….

The lack of a trial is a concern – which is factored into the price….

…. but she is her father’s daughter….

…. she is a bred for this….

…. and let’s face it – her owner knows more about 1000 Guineas winners than we do….

…. having won the race with Mawj, Blue Bunting & Kazzia….

…. and having gone close with Ihtimal, Sundrop & Muwakleh….

They don’t know what she is….

…. but that’s the case with most runners in both Guineas races….

The bottom line is that she’s by Dubawi – and she could be better suited to the task on Sunday than the prices suggest….

In the Betfred Handicap (2.55) I’m backing Sir Mark Prescott’s BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS – at 10s & 9s generally….

He hasn’t been seen for a year – but he won on seasonal debut in 2023 – albeit in a modest affair at Yarmouth….

…. but when stepped up in trip and class at Haydock – running from 3lb out of the handicap and blowing the start – he ran a belter….

…. looking every inch a horse that will progress from his current mark of 82 at this kind of trip….

He might need it – that’s always the worry with horses that are returning from not just a break but also some kind of issue….

But I like the fact that connections are targeting a decent race first-time-up – they could have lowered the sights and given him a blow in something lesser off his mark….

…. and he is Luke Morris’s only engagement of the day….

I think he’s a nice horse – one with plenty to give yet – at a nice price….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd