2000 Guineas 2010

Will certainly go down as one of my favorite guineas ever, fencing master would have been a better result 4 me but makfi is my best classic result 2 date nonetheless. I think fencing master was given a terrible ride 2day, it looked 2 me like he was pacesetting 4 sna who covered him most of the way. I’ll probably play fm in the sjp if theres a decent price 4 it. Have 2 hold my hands up with the winner though, it was value that attracted me, thought he should have been much shorter, as did plenty of others. I think the amount of people who were on him on here shows what a great forum this is. Cockney rebel didnt get the reception mafki did.

Well done for backing him, Bul. I didn’t really give him a second look after noticing he had won his two victories on ‘very soft’ ground!

Some criticised Hughes’ ride on Canford Cliffs – the guy did everything right, in my opinion, but I agree with you regarding the ride (or tactics) employed on Fencing Master. Very perplexing.

I’m unsure whether the horse was meant to be that far back in the Dewhurst, but it was certainly effective and the way he ran on that day suggested the extra furlong would be ideal.

I considered him a Derby prospect that day, but I’m almost certain he wouldn’t get twelve furlongs in a horse box, let alone a horse race. He looks a genuine ten furlong horse with the ability to compete over a mile, given the right conditions.

If he’s covered up at the Curragh, I can see that race suiting him more than most, but Canford Cliffs is the ideal sort for the St James’ Palace Stakes, in my opinion.

everyones entitle to there opinion JohnJ, what did you back btw? i just dont see why the team adopted different tactics, after it hacked up in the coventry and is apparently bombing on the gallops.

Though it might not be the fastest race ever run, I cannot see that the race wasn’t a proper test, and I doubt whether a stronger early pace would have made that much difference. The Guineas was certainly the fastest race of the day, less that half a second slower than Sea The Stars win last year, and only 2.28 secs slower than the course record, held by the 4yo Eagle Mountain, so those crabbing the result on the strength of the pace really are clutching at straws, imo.
Incidentally, I still believe that Viscount Nelson was there to set the pace – KF hinted so much in a pre-race interview when he said the horse was there to do "a job". That the horse was last and being harried along after 100 yds, (much as he had been at the Breeder’s Cup) can hardly be laid at the jockey’s door, though.
Didn’t think it was a great race as Guineas go, but I’d be amazed if the winner doesn’t prove a top class horse. SNA might still be up against it at a fast ground Epsom, and his best hope might be another soft ground Irish Derby – much like the other boat that won it last year.

Hi Big Buck’s,

Hope Fryern didn’t lose his shirt on EP

He ran a good race and ‘won’ his side. Very promising. If you use ratio betting you don’t lose your shirt!

I had a very good day as I spotted Tartan Gigha (14-1 bet365.com at 12.13) in the first. Now you won’t believe me but if you don’t I can post the tweet/link.

Well done to the few who spotted the winner. All those rude about Xtension he was a great ratio bet with Stan James as was the winner.

Canford Cliffs was very solid given the difficulties in riding him quieter. He can turn the tables on Makfi @ Ascot, which will be an enthralling contest in itself.

I agree. Looking at the early stages of the race, it appeared plain obvious that Canford Cliffs wanted to do his own thing since he has a natural high-cruising speed and, perhaps, denying him from doing so may have cost him a couple of vital lengths that could’ve made the difference. Of course, this was one of those ‘trial and error’ tactics that no-one can be blamed for. I also fancy him turning the tables on Makfi (and Dick Turpin too).

St Nicholas deffo found it all happening too quickly. I found O’Brien’s post-race comments somewhat disconcerting. Is it just me or did he seem to suggest that the 2000 Guineas was not the horse’s main target?! Tis very confusing for punters, if a horse is not fully wound up for a race of this nature when will it be…the Derby? Unless it flops in that and then the Breeder’s Cup becomes its ultimate target for the season.

Surely a horse should just be giving its best all the time … Certainly in a classic!

Maybe he was just making excuses….pace of the race etc.

Zip

I cannot see that the race wasn’t a proper test, and I doubt whether a stronger early pace would have made that much difference. The Guineas was certainly the fastest race of the day, less that half a second slower than Sea The Stars win last year, and only 2.28 secs slower than the course record, held by the 4yo Eagle Mountain, so those crabbing the result on the strength of the pace really are clutching at straws, imo.

Surely a joke, Reet? 2 1/2L covered 2nd to 8th. Look at them after 4 furlongs, not even 5 lengths from first to last. Of course the time won’t reflect the slow pace. If you go slow early on and then sprint, everything will balance out. A very silly race run at a silly pace. 3 Group 1s this weekend and every one of them wasn’t worth the paper they were written on.

St Nicholas deffo found it all happening too quickly. I found O’Brien’s post-race comments somewhat disconcerting. Is it just me or did he seem to suggest that the 2000 Guineas was not the horse’s main target?! Tis very confusing for punters, if a horse is not fully wound up for a race of this nature when will it be…the Derby? Unless it flops in that and then the Breeder’s Cup becomes its ultimate target for the season.

Surely a horse should just be giving its best all the time … Certainly in a classic!

Maybe he was just making excuses….pace of the race etc.

Zip

Zip
Just an observation, but it would be wrong to think all the horses are trying all the time – even in the very top races. One only has to think back to the previous Guineas to see how both Rip Van Winkle and Mastercraftsman were ridden very differently to their subsequent 1m victories to see that isn’t the case.
The really top trainers plan their best horses’ campaign for the full season (making whatever adjustments are shown necessary along the way) – not just from one big race to the next.