The Bookies Blog team have already decided that Dunguib will canter home in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, but should that bet land us in trouble, which of the two fancied mares should we rely on to dig us of our financial hole?

Bookmakers took action today to cut Voler La Vedette’s odds into 7/4, which means she is now the new market leader to win the third running of the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The latest market move must also be put down to Quevega’s weakness; I’m surprised to see bookmakers such as Sporting Bet offering 2/1 about last years winner recording a repeat success over the 2m4f.

The race looks between the pair of Irish raiders in my eyes. In 2008 the Irish sent over Sweet Kiln, who was a bitterly disappointing favourite, but this year they send over the first 3 in the betting.

Whiteoak was just a novice when winning this race at 20/1 in 2008, but she has since been retired to the paddocks.

7/4 Voler La Vedette

I’m already financially down on Voler La Vedette, before she has even set foot at Prestbury Park. I backed her each-way at 33/1 to romp home in a hurdles race on the opening day of the Festival. Unfortunately, it was for the Champion Hurdle, over a shorter trip that would’ve suited her better…

When Colm Murphy clarified the running plans atfer a February setback, I checked out her odds for this Mares race. 4/1.

She won 4 of her 5 starts as a novice, and then beat a below-par Go Native at the start of the 2009/10 season. Go Native wasn’t right on that day, so we shouldn’t read too much into that Down Royal success. She then swerved a clash with the smart Solwhit at Leopardstown, where she was tried over the 2m4f trip against inferior mares. She looked lazy when she hit the front, but she still managed to land the odds.

To me she has questionable stamina - but connections have every reason to have a crack at Quevega, who could be rusty after almost a year off.

Over 2m against Quevega, she’d be my idea of a banker.

2/1 Quevega

Quevega was heavily backed for last year’s Mares Hurdle, and she galloped away from United by 14 lengths to justify 2/1 favouritism. She hasn’t been seen since picking up an injury at Auteuil, but there haven’t been any negative comments from the Willie Mullins camp so far. She hasn’t had a prep run, but I wouldn’t be too concerned about that in such a weak race. Voler La Vedette has question marks over the trip, and I know that Quevega’s jockey Ruby Walsh is one to be trusted with my Cheltenham bankroll.

For me, Quevega should employ front-running tactics and make sure this race is a test of stamina. Not a stroll around Prestbruy Park.

She has a brilliant hurdling technique, and was only beaten 3 lengths by Solwhit and Punjabi at Punchestown last year. Those two horses are both at the head of this year’s Champion Hurdle market.

I have backed her at shameful odds of 11/8 and will step in again if she touches 5/2.

Voler La Vedette is a tempting place lay on Betfair.

bookies.com is your No.1 bet for comparing Cheltenham Festival betting odds:

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Betting Odds

Supreme Novices Hurdle

Arkle Chase

Champion Hurdle

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

RSA Chase

Champion Chase

Ryanair Chase

World Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle

Cheltenham Gold Cup

The first race of next week’s Cheltenham Festival, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, will determine the fortunes of many punters, especially those travelling across the Irish Sea. Dunguib is the horse in question, and is the first so-called ‘banker’ to run. Combined odds of 6/1 about Dunguib, Big Bucks, Master Minded and Kauto Star all winning will tempt many - but will punters still be sitting pretty after the Supreme Novices’ - run over 2m110y?

9/10 Dunguib

Dunguib is undoubtedly the latest National Hunt superstar and he has won 7 out of his 9 races impressively. The most telling of which was last year’s Champion Bumper win at the Festival:

His jumping over obstacles has been atrocious though, and many pundits think that it will cost him the race. Those having large bets on this odds-on favourite will hope that his engine ensures that he trounces a weak looking field.

Last year’s favourite in this race, Cousin Vinny, was beaten at odds of 9/4. Another negative, is that Dunguib’s regular jockey, Brian O’Connell, has never ridden the Cheltenham hurdles course before.

7/1 Get Me Out Of Here

Get Me Out Of Here looks the natural each-way choice in this field. The JP McManus-owned gelding has a progressive profile with form that reads nicely: 11111. The last ‘1′ being the Totesport Trophy Handicap at Newbury, which was hotly contested by some useful types.

AP McCoy rides for boss Jonjo O’Neill, and the Champion jockey would love to have a winner before taking the Gold Cup ride on 4/1 Denman on Friday 19th.

12/1 Blackstairmountain

Ruby Walsh takes this ride, the first of many next week. Willie Mullins looks to have a formidable team one again for this year’s Festival, but Blackstairmountain only has a maiden hurdle victory at Punchestown to his name. Such inexperience is a concern in this frantic race.

12/1 Menorah

Menorah is the 15/8 second favourite in the ‘Best of British’ market, contested by Oscar Whisky and Get Me Out Of Here. A slow pace was blamed for his recent odds-on Ascot defeat, but I’d want my cash to be carried by a last time out winner. Richard Johnson is amongst the best jockeys around Cheltenham, but he is yet to win this curtain-raiser.

20/1 Oscar Whisky

Yet another Irish bred gelding in the race, and another one that is unbeaten over hurdles. What to make of his wins though? They have all come at short odds in weak-looking races.

That said, jockey Barry Geraghty is a plus and Nicky Henderson is the leading Festival trainer.

20/1 Dan Breen

Has been backed into 20s from 33/1 last week. His Doncaster win could perhaps be a good bit of form, as the second placed Tanto Faz went on to win a race at Stratford. I can’t get too excited and I’d still rather back the machine that is Dunguib!

bookies.com is your No.1 bet for comparing Cheltenham Festival betting odds:

Supreme Novices Hurdle

Arkle Chase

Champion Hurdle

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

RSA Chase

Champion Chase

Ryanair Chase

World Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle

Cheltenham Gold Cup

Last year’s 6/4 Champion Hurdle favourite, Binocular, could still run in the 2010 edition, despite having previously been ruled out by trainer Nicky Henderson.

It had been reported that Binocular was suffering from a muscle problem, but he has now been given the thumbs up from the vets at the Henderson yard.

The French-bred hurdler has been beaten twice by Go Native this season, but a win in a Listed Hurdle event at Sandown Park led to renewed optimism about his Champion Hurdle bid this year.

Binocular (pictured) is a best-priced 12/1 now with Boylesports to be crowned Champion Hurdler, in what looks to be a wide open race without any outstanding candidate. William Hill go 10/1 and will refund you bet if he doesn’t line up.

He is a 20/1 chance on Betfair, as there is still a doubt that he will run. Layers have a chance to collect their winnings before the race is even run, but should he line up, they could face damaging liabilities. £52 has been matched at 999/1!

AP McCoy would be retained to ride Binocular for his boss JP McManus, which would leave Zaynar jockey-less, as it has been understood that Barry Geraghty will ride last year’s champion Punjabi. Top jockeys Ruby Walsh and Paddy Brennan both have fancied rides, so it may mean that Felix De Giles gets the leg up on Victor Chandler’s grey star.

bookies.com is your No.1 bet for comparing Cheltenham Festival betting odds:

Supreme Novices Hurdle

Arkle Chase

Champion Hurdle

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

RSA Chase

Champion Chase

Ryanair Chase

World Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle

Cheltenham Gold Cup

As ever, we have some terrific racing action to look forward to this Saturday.

The Eider Chase up in Newcastle will be one of the biggest betting races - a 4m1f Grand National trial where stamina is the name of the game. Comply Or Die took this in 2008 before his Aintree heroics, and to me 8/1 Iris De Balme looks the pick of the bunch. I am also a fan of Tarquinius at 16/1, as he always stays on at the end of his races.

Friday update: Newcastle has been rained off.

If Dubai isn’t enough to satisfy fans of flat racing, then they can also look forward to the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield Park. Gitano Hernando is 10s for the Dubai World Cup, and he really ought to take this at odds of 4/5.

However, we are going to head to Kempton’s jumps action to try and find a good bet. The Racing Post Chase is off at 3.05pm, and is a handicap race over three miles. Triumph Hurdle favourite Mille Chief is also in action, and is 1/2 to win his race.

7/2 Nacarat

Nacarat won this last year at 10/1, and I was surprised to see odds of 9/1 about him repeating that win when the antepost market for this race opened a few weeks ago. 7/2 is a more realistic price now, but he is still entitled for support with AP McCoy taking the ride from the suspended Sam Thomas. McCoy has a good record on the grey, who is a Kempton specialist and ran a cracker in the King George.

I strongly believe that he’ll at least be placed in the first three.

This is what we said about his chances last year…

10/1 Nacarat will be ridden by AP McCoy, and will go well fresh. His form is very erratic, so I don’t think he’ll carry my money. He should be well supported in the betting tomorrow though.

4/1 Kilcrea Castle

Emma Lavelle’s Kilcrea Castle has been very well backed this week, and made a pleasing debut for his new stable at Ascot. If you like this one you’d be mad not to take Sky Bet up on their 50/1 quote for the Grand National.

4/1 Fistral Beach

Paul Nicholls won this race in 2008 with Gungadu, and commands respect in any big race on Saturdays. Ruby Walsh is going to have to do ten stone to get the ride, but Fistral Beach had a terrible spell of ’seconditis’ and has to race from out of the handicap. Will his recent win bring about a change in attitude? Punters will certainly hope so.

7/1 Miss Mitch

This mare will relish the testing ground and is another horse that’s been well backed for victory.

Betting Update: Withdrawn on Friday afternoon. Reported to be lame at home.

7/1 Madison Du Berlais

Carries the top weight of 11st12lbs and is a favourite of this blog. Forget his last race where he was beaten by Tarnis - he clearly hates Cheltenham and should never set foot there again. He beat Denman twice last year, loves flat tracks and will be suited by the good gallop in this race set by Nacarat.

In my eyes he is a Grade 1 animal and his main threat is the front-running Nacarat, who carries 4lb less than Madison.

12/1 Atouchbetweenacara

Paul Beck has now returned his horses to Venetia Williams. Atouchbetweenacara was touted a a possible Hennessy horse earlier this season, and went down on many lists. The boylesports.com Gold Cup looked the ideal race for him, but he could only manage 11th at 8/1. I think he’s one to keep an eye on for a Festival handicap in March.

14/1 Oedipe

Oedipe’s handicap mark has come down from 146 gradually, and as a result only has to carry 10st. Nicky Henderson won this race in 2004.

14/1 Piraya

Recent winner at Warwick for the David Pipe team, but I prefer the stable-mate, Madison Du Berlais.

25/1 Razor Royale

Could’ve finished closer on his most recent Sandown start, but the handicapper may have the edge over Razor Royale after his November win.

25/1 Private Be

Trainer Philip Hobbs has a good record in this race, and if you are looking for an outsider, I would take Private Be. Looked to have every chance when going down to The Sawyer at Cheltenham, who has since run a blinder behind Monet’s Garden…

25/1 Le Burf

33/1 Something Wells

33/1 Bible Lord

66/1 Ollie Magern

Best Bets:

2pts @ 7/1 Madison Du Berlais

1pt Forecast: 1st Madison Du Berlais. 2nd Nacarat.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing horse racing odds:

Racing Post Chase Betting Odds

Adonis Juvenile Hurdle Betting

Pendil Novices Chase Betting

Grand National 2010 Antepost Betting Odds

Cheltenham Festival Betting Odds

Overdose (pictured) won’t be in action this Saturday, but the six furlong Sprint Cup at Haydock Park still has a terrific line-up. A win for the antepost favourite, High Standing, would see comeback jockey Kieren Fallon steal the headlines in the Sunday papers.

The Group One race isn’t open to juveniles, and was won by the French trained African Rose last year at 7/2. In the last thirty years only one six year old has won, Nuclear Debate, so it’s hardly surprising to see huge odds alongside the elder horses on your antepost list. Judd Street, Al Qasi, Asset and War Artist will attempt to defy lofty odds.

The most successful trainer in this race, John Dunlop, doesn’t hold any entries this year. The going is forecast to be good to firm.

Will it be a fairytale comeback for Fallon? Does the form of the Betfair Cup (Goodwood) hold the key to finding the winner here? Let’s cast our eye over the fancied runners.

4/1 High Standing

Won the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot and hasn’t been beaten all year. William Haggas was forced to retire the previous favourite, King’s Apostle, but still has a great chance at landing the spoils with High Standing. If Kieren Fallon does indeed take the ride, you could see this one being sent off as short as 15/8. For that reason it looks a great back-to-lay prospect.

A Fallon Group One winner would be fantastic news for racing, so we can let this win at any price. His last ride in a Group One was when he won the 2007 Arc on Dylan Thomas.

9/2 Fleeting Spirit

Beat off the game Borderlescott in the Temple Stakes here last year, breaking the track record in the process. She missed the Nunthorpe due to a set back, but has been working well on the gallops lately. If she can reproduce the form of her July Cup win, she must have a big chance.

6/1 Finjaan

Weakened in the 2000 Guineas, so dropped in trip since. Well backed in the Betfair Cup over seven furlongs and has an outstanding chance again here. The three year old has run only seven times, and keeps on improving. Balthazaar’s Gift has won since then and Finjaan will also be receiving 2lbs from his rivals. 

Difficult to find any negatives, and with the Tregoning stable in good health, he looks a good bet to me at 6/1 with Bet365 and Blue Square.

8/1 Main Aim

One of the so-called ‘bankers’ at Glorious Goodwood, Main Aim finished last in the Betfair Cup at 6/5. He banged his head on the stalls that day, but the subsequent break should do him good. That said, he still has to reverse July Cup form with Fleeting Spirit, but at least the price is right.

12/1 Corrybrough

Only fifth on his seasonal debut at Lingfield this month, but has been backed from 20s for this race which is a good sign. He was fourth last year, only beaten by about a length. Illness and injury has kept him off the racecourse for a year, but the signs are that he has come on for his outing on the sand.

Trainer Henry Candy also saddled the winner of the Great St Wilfrid in the shape of Markab.

Can make the frame.

16/1 J J The Jet Plane

Moved to Richard Hannon’s yard for ‘personal reasons’, meaning we won’t be seeing Kevin Shea in the saddle again. Poor in the Betfair Cup, but that was over seven furlongs. ‘J J’ has a touch of class about him, but he may be another star suffering from the dreaded ‘Dubai Bounce’.

20/1 Regal Parade

Stayed on strongly in the Hungerford to finish second, and won the Ayr Gold Cup last year for Dandy Nicholls. You have to keep on the right side of this trainer in the big sprint races, but Regal Parade isn’t classy enough to land this.

20/1 Triple Aspect

This £43,000 purchase was second in the Coral Charge, from a plum draw. Owner Harry Findlay probably has his big bucks down on High Standing.

25/1 Art Connoisseur

Provided Hayley Turner with her first ride in a Group One, and beat some decent horses in the Golden Jubilee at 20/1. That form isn’t brilliant considering it was the richest race at Royal Ascot this year, and the colt had everything in the race to his favour. Yes the price looks gigantic this time out, but it would surprise me if he made the frame.

25/1 Heart Shaped

Fourth in the 1000 Guineas, but this filly by Storm Cat hasn’t done much since to suggest she can be competitive here.

Betting Advice:

The bookies are only paying three places in the Sprint Cup, so why not dutch both FINJAAN (6/1) and CORRYBROUGH (12/1).

Odds correct as of 31 August

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing antepost horse racing odds:

Betfred Sprint Cup Betting

Ladbrokes St Leger Betting

Arc De Triomphe Betting

Kasbah Bliss, winner of last year’s Group 3 Prix Gladiateur and unplaced favourite in the 2009 World Hurdle, is making his reappearance at Deauville tomorrow in a Group 2 contest over 1m4f.

François Doumen is better known over the Channel for his jumpers, but he has already sent out two winners at this month’s Deauville festival. On Verra and Green Rock completed a double ten days ago on the sand course, but tomorrow’s Lucien Barriere Grand Prix De Deauville will be run on Kasbah Bliss’ preferred going - good.

The seven year old is a 13/2 shot for next year’s World Hurdle, but his previous runs have suggested that the undulations of Cheltenham aren’t to his liking. He proved at Longchamp last year that he was also a top class horse on the flat.

He won’t be fully tuned up for tomorrow’s race, so 10/1 is probably a fair price. 

Andre Fabre saddles the 6/4 favourite, Ideal World, who is by Kingmambo. He took the spoils in a listed contest over course and distance earlier this month and should hold off the 5/2 chance Pouvoir Absolu on that form.

Christophe Soumillon has just picked up a ban, and is having a wretched week, so we probably shouldn’t back Wing Express.

Mark Johnston’s raider, Jukebox Jury, looks of interest at the 3/1 mark. He receives a handy 5kg allowance from the others. The trainer’s last winner in France came in the shape of Laa Rayb, exactly one year ago.

The Great Voltigeur Stakes was a strangely-run affair, but Jukebox Jury ran out a decent winner at Haydock earlier this month. A repeat of that performance will surely see him involved in the finish.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing international horse racing odds:

Deauville Betting

2009 World Hurdle Betting

Ladbrokes St Leger Betting

Arc De Triomphe Betting

When we told you yesterday that we couldn’t see Look Here outside the top three in the Coronation Cup, we were spot on! Unfortunately she finished in third, two noses behind Ask. It was a brilliant effort from the filly on her seasonal debut, she may even be worth an investment in the Arc. Stan James go 33/1.

There haven’t been any significant gambles in the Derby market this week, and surprisingly Rip Van Winkle hasn’t been well supported. Perhaps punters are looking to the other Aiden O’Brien runners for the value - Black Bear Island is into 8s from 9/1 earlier this week.

On that note I genuinely don’t feel that 4/7 for a Ballydoyle winner offers value.

3/1 Sea The Stars should cruise home on Timeform ratings, but I think that Debussy could spring the mother of all shocks. 79/1 is available on Betfair.

Another outsider, South Easter, has been declared a non-runner.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Epsom odds:

Epsom Derby Betting

Investec Dash Betting

Derby Favourite Betting

Antepost Arc Betting

The going for today’s Investec Oaks will be good, good to firm in places.

Sariska will be probably be sent off as favourite for Michael Bell - 3/1 is still around with some firms.

4/1 Midday was impressive in the Lingfield Oaks trial, but she didn’t beat much.

Rainbow View has been backed into 3/1, but Blue Square are holding out with 7/2. She should be suited by the ground and was last seen plugging on in the 1000 Guineas.

Jimmy Fortune is 150/1 with Sky Bet to double up with Debussy in the Derby.

5/1 shot Look Here will carry my money again at Epsom, this time in the Coronation Cup. I just can’t see her finishing outside the first three, but Youmzain will be hard to beat.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Epsom odds:

Epsom Derby Betting

Epsom Oaks Betting

Coronation Cup Betting

Derby Favourite Betting

The Epsom Derby was won last year by Jim Bolger´s New Approach and it looks as if the prize will be retained by Ireland in 2009. The first seven in the betting are Irish raiders, most representing Aidan O´Brien.

The classic will be run over 1m4f at the Epsom Downs racecourse this Saturday at 3.45pm - coverage on BBC1. This year marks the start of a five year sponsorship by Investec.

Ballydoyle may have six runners, but Corals go evens that Sea The Stars will be sent off favourite.

O´Brien is 1/2 to saddle the winner and a giant 40/1 to train the first five home. Not out of the question.

10/3 Sea The Stars

We weren´t sure whether to back him for the English or Irish 2000 Guineas. I then backed him at 20/1 for the Irish Classic with Ladbrokes, only for him to go and win at Newmarket cosily.

At the time, Sea The Stars was 10/1 for The Derby - generous given that he is by Cape Cross. He should be even better for the Newmarket success, and New Approach proved that the Guineas is still the best Derby trial.

The John Oxx trained colt has been well backed from 4/1 recently. Mick Kinane is almost 50 years old, but believes the horse will stay. Not a bad price.

4/1 Fame And Glory

Johnny Murtagh rides Rip, even though Fame And Glory won the Irish Derby Trial by five lengths last month. Mourayan was disappointing that day, so he didn´t beat much. Stamina assured but will he handle the track?

9/2 Rip Van Winkle

Every punter must respect the Johnny Murtagh choice - he very rarely gets in wrong in Group One company. He has a soft spot for Rip Van Winkle, who has caught the eye in both the Dewhurst and the 2000 Guineas.

His dam is by a sprinter, but he definitely stayed on well at Newmarket behind Sea The Stars. Should place, so consider for the forecasts.

7/1 Gan Amhras

Any rain would be a positive, but Kevin Manning still has another great chance at Derby glory. Solid third in the 2000 Guineas, but he is another contender by Galileo that should relish the step up in distance. A decent each way bet.

9/1 Black Bear Island

Three of the last five Derby winners won the Dante beforehand and Tartan Bearer finished second last year. He has some other form in the book, but wasn´t hugely impressive in the Dante. Not a price I want to take.

16/1 Masterofthehorse

Only won once and was beaten fair and square in the Chester Vase. At the prices you´d have to take Golden Sword for the value. Richard Hughes rides.

25/1 Age Of Aquarius

I rate Pat Smullen as a jockey, but Age Of Aquarius was made to work hard to land the odds at Lingfield last time out.

25/1 Kite Wood

I fancy that Godolphin won´t win a British Classic this year, but Kite Wood is the pick of their crop.

He showed much promise for Michael Jarvis, but was only fifth in this year´s Dante at York. He´ll come on for that, but he does tend to get warm before the race. If he drifts out I may stick a quid or two if I can get 33/1 or bigger.

Frankie Dettori is a safe pair of hands.

33/1 Crowded House

Drifted out to 2/1 in the Dante and ran a shocker. Connections didn´t think he´d need the run, so I don´t think that backers should really persevere with this one, even if 33s is a whopping price. Don´t put the house on Crowded, despite what you read in the tabloids this Saturday.

40/1 Golden Sword

Value for his 40/1(Ladbrokes) and not given enough credit for his Chester Vase success (25/1). Doesn´t need soft ground.

50/1 Montaff

Finished only a neck behind Age Of Aquarius in the Lingfield Derby trial, but will need to show even more improvement to get involved in this tougher contest.

50/1 South Easter

Neil Callan is getting tips from the great Lester Piggott for his first Derby, but South Easter won´t be the one to spoil the Irish parade. His sire, Galileo, won the Derby in 2001.

66/1 Debussy

Stayed on in the Chester Vase and has Epsom form which is a HUGE bonus. You would kick yourself if John Gosden won the Derby - he has been in terrific form this year. Jimmy Fortune could land this in the same colours as New Approach; there are worse each way punts out there.

Recommendation:

1. 66/1 Debussy (Must be backed each way, Ladbrokes)

2. 40/1 Golden Sword (Could be anything, cheeky punt here)

3. 25/1 Kite Wood (Try to find at least 33s before race)

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Epsom odds:

Epsom Derby Betting

Epsom Oaks Betting

Derby Favourite Betting

The Irish send over the first two in the market, but there is value to be had in the French colts. Falco won the French 2000 Guineas last year at 22/1, beating Gololphin’s Rio De La Plata by three lengths.

Naaqoos is the shortest priced French colt, but he was beaten at odds-on last time out. There must be alternatives that can give us a run for our money.

The Betfair market is immature at this stage, and will only really take shape on Sunday morning. Blue Square have been taking antepost bets for a few days.

3/1 Vocalised

Drawn in six, and Jim Bolger’s colt has won four on the trot. His last win only came last Monday in a Group Three at The Curragh, and Cityscape has let down the Greenham Stakes form.

Vocalised is clearly race fit, but makes no appeal at 3/1. Needs better ground, so any rain would be a negative.

Kevin Manning rides, but I just can’t get excited about that price. He should beat Westphalia - match bet anyone?

4/1 Westphalia

The first string for Aidan O’Brien, but Johnny Murtagh did chose the wrong horse in the Chester Vase. Aidan O’Brien has had three of the last ten winners of this race.

Second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Westphalia caught the eye in the Prix de Fontainebleau over course and distance. Beaten only half a length by Silver Frost, but his head-carriage is still a concern.

He could run a big race, but may just find a couple too good for him. At the prices I’d take Silver Frost.

5/1 Naaqoos

Freddie Head saddles both Naaqoos and stable star Marchand D’Or on Sunday.

Naaqoos has won at Longchamp before, but Newmarket has reminded us to treat the juvenile form with caution.

Davy Bonilla will ride Naaqoos, but he was turned over fair and square by Le Havre at Maisons-Laffitte. Naaqoos is working well according to Head, but still makes little appeal at the price. Obvious claims, but questionable form.

5/1 Silver Frost

A cosy winner of the Prix de Fontainebleau, so there is no reason that Westphalia should be a shorter price. His time of 1′39”50 was pretty good and he is clearly one of the leading French hopes for Yves de Nicolay.

6/1 Le Havre

Christophe Lemaire rides for Jean-Claude Rouget, who also has Oiseau De Feu. A quality colt that goes on good ground, he should confirm the form with Naaqoos. Almost tempts me at 6/1.

Rain would be a negative for Le Havre - he managed only seventh in the Critérium International on heavy ground.

His Djebel win came as a bit of a surprise (7.7/1) but it may be that cheekpieces helped him to focus.

7/1 Shaweel

Only fifth in the Greenham - surely Frankie’s best chance of the day is on Fantasia. Godolphin have had a poor start to the turf season, after a stunning record at the Dubai Carnival.

Decent juvenile form with Mark Johnston, but I wouldn’t even back Shaweel at 10/1 on Sunday.

10/1 Oiseau De Feu

Jean-Claude Rouget has never won this race before, but Oiseau De Feu may be the one to break that record. His third in the Prix de Fontainebleau confirmed that he was progressive, finishing very strongly indeed.

The stable also has Tamazirte (7/1) in the 1000 Guineas, who has also matured well over the winter break.

16/1 Zafisio

Non - runner. Zafisio is now with Roger Curtis and has matured well.

Cut in the ground is absolutely vital for Zafisio, who goes for the German Guineas. Will take a lot of beating.

20/1 Handsome Maestro

Olivier Peslier thinks that Handsome Maestro has what it takes to win the 2000 Guineas.

He won the Prix Machado in ‘irresistible’ fashion, beating Desertar by four lengths (see picture).

He could be anything, but the Poule d’Essai des Poulains will be his strongest test yet. His generous price is probably because his two year old form isn’t special. The Aga Kahn-owned Varenar boosted the form of the Prix Machado by winning at Saint-Cloud this week.

A decent each way bet for me.

FRIDAY UPDATE: Blue Square have cut the odds down to 12/1, two hours after I had £20 each way. On Saturday we can expect to see other bookies open a French 2000 Guineas market - Handsome Maestro must still be backed if available around the 16/1 mark.

33/1 Diableside

Can’t see him reversing Prix Djebel form with both Naaqoos and Le Havre.

50/1 Roi Des Sables

Thrashed by Handsome Maestro at Longchamp and hasn’t registered a course win in three attempts. Won a very very weak looking race at Toulouse last month and absolutely no claims.

66/1 Born To Be King

Two and a half lengths behind Intense Focus at Leopardstown last time out, but will need to improve vastly to have any say in this. 

200/1 Coat Of Arms

By Danehill Dancer but only lost his maiden tag this week. No chance! (We said the same about the 100/1 Kentucky Derby winner)

Recommendation:

5pts win @ 20/1 Handsome Maestro (Blue Square)

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing international horse racing odds:

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