Equinties - it's on at Plumpton

Author

BGP Capital
April 17, 2025

Equinties

Gm Equinauts

The Guineas market was given a big nudge yesterday in favour of FIELD OF GOLD but we might just see it move again after the 15.35!

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUND UP

A ROUTING!

“I’ve not been as excited about a colt winning a trial for a long time.”

That was the official line yesterday as FIELD OF GOLD bolted up in the Group 3 Craven Stakes.

Seriously, it was quite an impressive performance, so impressive that he is now the ante-post favourite for the Guineas.

This isn’t surprising, however. The 2000 Guineas, as documented in this newsletter, was a murky picture, to say the least; TWAIN was the favourite based on his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, and the fact that he won a suspect Group 1 as a juvenile; ANCIENT TRUTH has sadly died; THE LION IN WINTER is going to miss the race and HENRI MATISSE is off to France.

So this left the ante-post market open to a massive shortener if the performance warranted it.

And, well, FIELD OF GOLD’s performance in the Guineas did just that.

He sat well off the pace, which was bold from Kieran Shoemark as he had to find a gap, but once the gap opened up, he went from being on the bridle to being right at the front of the field. The turn of foot was there.

He did all of this, and yet, Thady Gosden was keen to stress how much there is to come fitness-wise.

He said: "He's an exciting colt who got into a bit of traffic and had the gears to get out of it. Kieran gave him a beautiful ride. You could see him travelling well in behind and when he got the gap he quickened up well when he needed to. 

"He's a classy horse with a nice change of gear and he's entitled to come on for it as it was his first run of the season.

"He could get a mile and a quarter but I don't think he's a Derby horse. I see him as an Eclipse horse and maybe that will be the trajectory later on. 
"I've not been as excited about a colt winning a trial in a long time."

He’s the correct Guineas fav in what is an open year. Juddmonte have such a strong team for Classics this year, and Gosden could well get his first 2000 Guineas under the belt. This will be fun.

Charlie Appleby’s runners in recent weeks haven’t been amazing. The yard may well be operating at a 24% strike-rate from 21 runners, but the big runners like AOMORI CITY, OPERA BALLO, ROMANTIC STYLE, AL QUADRA, ANCIENT WISDOM, MOUNTAIN BREEZE, OTTOMAN FLEET, and VERSE OF LOVE have failed to win.

The few who wintered in Dubai look like they wintered too well, the likes of ROMANTIC STYLE running with the choke out.

Still, it’s not the end of the world. Like Aidan O’Brien’s horses currently, an element of caution should be placed on the boys in blue for the next few weeks. But will this form change by the time the Guineas rolls around? Of course it will.

Speaking of the Guineas, Godolphin’s main hopes for the two races took to the Rowley Mile before racing began yesterday, and a certain Charlie Appleby was very pleased.

On DESERT FLOWER, their 1000 Guineas ante-post favourite, he said: “We haven’t had a filly like this going into the Guineas before but we're not feeling the pressure. She’s an unbeaten Group 1-winning filly and in my eyes the one to beat. She’s had a great winter and a few people have asked me if she’s been in Dubai as she looks so well, but she’s never been away from Moulton Paddocks.

“She’s a very powerful filly, as she showed in the autumn of her two-year-old career. You couldn't fail to be impressed by what we saw this morning. The ground was good to soft but good horses can go on any ground. What she's showing is versatility on the conditions she’s running on. Hopefully we can have a clear run into the race.”

She was one of the better juvenile fillies last year and there’s nothing to really knock her with either, apart from her heading straight to Newmarket. She must have a solid chance.

SHADOW OF LIGHT, their 2000 Guineas runner, also galloped yesterday.

He said: “Shadow Of Light has done well physically over winter and looks great. We were pleased with his work. His preparation has been faultless and it has always been the plan to come here to gallop ahead of the Guineas rather than go to a trial.

“The question mark is the step up to a mile but from what we saw in the Dewhurst we have a lot of confidence in him and as a physical we're hopeful he'll stay. He’s one of those who if he does stay, great, and that opens up other options, but if he doesn’t we can drop him back for the Commonwealth Cup.“

Seems like SHADOW OF LIGHT in the Guineas is a bit of a fact finding mission. There’s no harm in that, in fairness.

Oh, and it seems like the Derby is the main aim for RULING COURT, and they could use the Guineas as a trial for him. Eyes on.

TRAINERS CHAMPIONSHIP

£30,762. That’s the gap between Dan Skelton (1st) and Willie Mullins (2nd) in the trainers’ title after the first day of the Cheltenham April Meeting. Although Mullins had his fair share of entries on the day, it was Skelton who extended his advantage at the top.
That was thanks to RISKINTHEGROUND who scooped up £39,865 for winning the feature Silver Trophy handicap.

This won’t be enough, but it’s a nice help to the Warwickshire-based trainer.
Both operators have runners at Cheltenham today, but Mullins has a few strong chances.

SAINT LUCIE, A PENNY A HUNDRED, JUDICIEUSE ALLEN, and SAINTS TARTARE all represent Closutton, while Skelton has more runners, though they probably have slightly worse chances.

It’ll be interesting to see how the next week or so goes, but what could be very important is actually this weekend.

Plumpton has the £75,000 Sussex Champion Hurdle and £100,000 Sussex Champion Chase over two days, and the maestros at Closutton really have not missed it.

DADDY LONG LEGS, KARGESE, SIR GERHARD, TOUNSIVATOR, and ABSURDE hold entries for the hurdle, while BLOOD DESTINY, TULLYHILL, WESTPORT COVE, and WESTERN DIEGO are in the chase.

That’s a good team.

Skelton has SHE’S A SAINT, KNICKERBLOCKERGLORY, ROCK HOUSE, and WILLIETHEBUILDER are in the hurdle, while ASTA LA PASTA is the Skelton runner in the chase.

We know that both will be going hard over the next 10 days. BoyleSports have already paid out on Mullins to win, but it’s not over yet.

Who would have thought that Plumpton would be so important!

YOUNG BLOOD

No Group racing at HQ today but a lovely 2yo race to open proceedings and the market is all over the place!

13.15 5F 2YO NOVICE STAKES

It’s all chance in the market as punters were hitting into Godolphin’s MILITARY CODE last night, sending it into odds on, he’s now 5/2 lmao!

Cox’s THIS GUY is now very strong fave. A 170k yearling for Coxy who always buys a nice one. By BLUE POINT over DUBAWI, SHAMARDAL with DUBAWI is a very good nick. Would have thought he’d come on for the run but the market says ready.

Drifting MILITARY CODE is by WOOTTON BASSETT out of a wining miler. The concern for this lad is he might need further. Charlie Appleby’ form a bit wobbly but we can make excuses for most of his. Interesting.

MOONFALL is by first season sire STARMAN. He is a half to Gr1 placed SOPRANO who won on debut at Newmarket. With the addition of his sire to the dam side, he just might want 6 furlongs but is definitely bred to be a winner.

SLAY QUEEN is by ACCLAMATION. The only filly in the race so gets weight plus she runs under Joe Levey who take off a further 3lbs! She’s the first foal out of a Gr 3 placed mare. Market check required.

HENRYTHENATE is a rare Fellowes 2yo debutant who Charlie put up as his first 2yo winner of the season on IG. By MAYSON and out of a winning 10f horse, he looks out of his depth in a race like this and might be one for later.

EXCLAMATION ran well in the Brocklesby but probably best watched in this company.

Verdict: The money is shouting for Cox’s but we did think he might need the run. A tricky race, one to watch with final vote SLAY QUEEN who will run like she’s free under no weight.

RISK ON

Bad bets yesterday although we thought we were in with GRAND GREY at 18’s - that would have been nice. We really really like one horse today…

13.35 SAINTE LUCIE

The ground is not in her favour but she should be a class apart so we’re going to take the drift. The money is for Derham’s but we think she’s not to worry about. 5/4 a normal stake and trust the market is wrong.

15.00 HARPERS FERRY & MYTHICAL GUEST

Without a doubt the stand out pedigree is HARPERS FERRY. They’ve obviously dropped him back in trip owed to his want to run and lead and sometimes not making the 10f. From his stall position today, Oisin will get out in front, rip up the paint and play catch me if you can. Small hedge with MYTHICAL GUEST who is the danger. 2’s and 12’s.

15.35 TREBLE TEE

This is the one we really really like. His debut blew us away and he looks special. That was on soft but on pedigree we think the good ground is more favourable. Ground right his favour, Reportedly working well and ready to go. Full bet on him at 6/4.

14.00 THE QUIET GENT

Should be different class versus the field. No bet at the price but we will add to another for a bit of lev. Maybe playing with Willie Mullins’ making his 3.7.