2000 GUINEAS LATEST PREVIEW AND BETTING TIPS

As predicted, St Nicholas Abbey (Montjeu) has continued to shorten and is priced at nearly even-money with virtually all major bookmakers. The undefeated bay is set for his season debut and, while he oozes quality from every orifice, many punters are starting to spread their bets out to the each-way market as the first-class AP O'Brien charge isn't really a value play at that price anymore. The internet chatter has tended to tip-toe around Canford Cliffs (Tagula) and Elusive Pimpernel (Elusive Quality) but plenty of value is available across the board and I reckon there will be more than a few punters keying up the lot of them underneath St Nicholas Abbey on the forecast bets. 
Elusive Pimpernel has drifted fairly predictably over the past half-week and he does boast the reference of winning his season opener in the Craven on April 15th over the same course and distance. If St Nicholas Abbey wasn't around you know this would be the favourite, albeit by a slimmer margin. He was blown out of the water by St Nicholas Abbey in the 2009 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. It wasn't even close in that one. If you're looking to back Elusive Pimpernel your wager is that he's progressing and will be able to offer more tactical speed than he did last October. The switch back to Eddie Ahern is an interesting variable and I can certainly see the 7/1 price dropping a shade before the off, as some folks may look to hedge their bets. 

Canford Cliffs was a beaten favourite last time out in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury and he's always commanded respect from the oddsmakers so seeing him priced at 10/1 is understandable but I have a feeling that he may be able to navigate through the group a little easier than some and he has a nice turn of foot. Don't think he matches St Nick's in terms of pace or outright class, but he could very well be part of the run in. 
The Godolphin team for the 2000 Guineas consists of the usual speedy early-pace type with a classier stalker who is set for a late charge. This time around, Saeed Bin Suroor thinks that Al Zir (Medaglia D'Oro) is his likely winner and the half-brother to Rachel Alexandra finished third to St Nicholas Abbey in the Racing Post and really should have found a bit more that day. He's priced at an enticing 20/1 and I think that he may attract a fair amount of each-way action at that price. He'll look to finish strong and his recent workouts indicate that he'll be able to stay the whole way and make that push at the exact right time. Make no mistake there is no margin for error with Al Zir and Frankie Dettori knows that. 
Godolphin also line up a quirky bay colt named Buzzword that's got quite a well-stamped passport for a three year-old. He's been raced at Santa Anita, Newmarket, Longchamp and Goodwood in his eight race career and he'll also be having his season debut. He's priced at 100/1 and the bookmakers certainly think he's out of his depth at Group 1 level. I think he's well worth a look at that price and I have a feeling that there is a very tactical on-track plan that involves Al Zir and Buzzword. 
Group 2 winner Xtension (Xaar) definitely the right boxes for a 22/1 shout and I think he's a very solid bet for an each-way forecast with St Nicholas Abbey. He ran a very solid third in the Group 1 Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket to close the season last year. This is certainly one of the more interesting outsiders in this race and runs 1213- lifetime. 
Looking for an outside bet for the 2000 Guineas? Try backing Pat Eddery's colt at 40/1- Hearts of Fire (Firebreak). He has the distinction of beating Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York (Invincible Spirit) at San Siro in the Group 1 Gran Criterium. (Remember, Vale of York would come back from his second place finish there to beat 2010 Kentucky Derby favourite Lookin At Lucky on the Pro-Ride at Santa Anita). Wins at Baden-Baden and Deauville add to his cosmopolitan track record and he also finished last season with three wins on the bounce. I think he's a wonderful shot if you're plaing an each-way and could pair up well with St Nick's. If things start to go pair-shaped for the favourite- this is the first place my eyes are going.
I do think St Nicholas Abbey is probably going to win this one if things go his way. But this is horse racing and anything can happen. I don't see a huge amount of sense in a field this big to place a big outright wager on St Nick's, so I'll be pairing him up with Al Zir, Elusive Pimpernel and Hearts of Fire. I also like the Godolphin runner and Hearts of Fire on the each-way as well. 
Looking for a real miracle shot? Get a touch of the Obama magic and go with 200/1 Audacity of Hope (Red Ransom).