2000 Guineas Preview

I have to say, the Guineas weekend takes some topping from an excitement perspective. While the adrenaline rush that you get from seeing high-class sprinters is unquestionable, and the thrill of witnessing those that possess the requisite balance of speed and stamina to excel in the top middle distance races is exhilarating, their is just something about seeing top milers in action that sets them apart. And the 2000 Guineas, which takes centre stage at Newmarket on Saturday, is one of those races that I'm not afraid to say, gives me that feeling as though the hair on the back of my neck is firmly upright. No disrespect to the fillies in the 1000 Guineas, but the first colts' Classic is most certainly the showpiece of the weekend's racing at Flat HQ. I have already recommended a punt on Dutch Art - and I'm not completely abandoning Peter Chapple-Hyam's charge, despite his defeat in the Greenham - but it's time for an update, because it could just be that a star has arrived. And I'm not referring to Teofilo. The horse in question is Adagio, who looked a horse of terrifying potential when landing the Craven Stakes on his reappearance over the 2000 Guineas course and distance on April 19. Indeed, the son of Grand Lodge was mightily impressive. Adagio demonstrated that rare ability to instantly quicken and although the winning margin was just a length and a half, he was a very comfortable winner and, what's more, he is likely to come on a ton for that pipe-opener. On Saturday, he'll be a sharper horse, of that I'm sure. The selection's trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, has trained three winners of this in the last decade - Golan in 2001, King's Best in 2000 and Entrepreneur landed the 1997 renewal - so it's fair to say that the South African has a good steer with regard to what attributes a horse needs to prevail on the Rowley Mile in this Stan James-sponsored event. And while only Haafhd has landed the Craven en route to Guineas glory, Sir Michael sent out Shadeed in 1985 and Doyoun in 1988 to win the Craven before reigning supreme on the first Saturday in May. As such, if anyone can, the Freemason Lodge maestro can. However, forget the statistics, and this and that. Adagio simply looks a Guineas winner in the making, irrespective of what trial he won or didn't win. That instant acceleration which he displayed in the Craven was proof enough that he's got what it takes. Sure, the competition will be far, far stiffer in the big race, but as I alluded to earlier, there is much more to come from Adagio, who I expect to be pulling all the strings, if you'll pardon the pun. There was a dark cloud hanging over Teofilo a couple of weeks back when Jim Bolger's stable star drifted alarmingly on Betfair's exchanges. It has subsequently came to light that the Galileo colt, who enjoyed his finest hour as a juvenile when thwarting the challenge of Holy Roman Emperor to land the Dewhurst, was found to be lame. But all the vibes emanating from the stable since have been positive and, it would appear, there is no reason to suspect that Teofilo won't be ready to do himself justice this weekend. I just wonder whether the ante-post favourite will have the speed to cope with a horse boasting Adagio's turn of foot on what looks sure to be a fast surface. He has proven his effectiveness on good to firm going, granted, but to my mind he has looked at his best when there's a bit of cut in the ground. Underfoot conditions will also represent unchartered waters for French raider US Ranger, who has been the subject of encouraging reports, and while he has a good deal to prove at his level, it would be unwise to underestimate him. Whichever way you look at it, it was disappointing to see Dutch Art outpointed so comprehensively by Major Cadeaux in the Greenham at Newbury a fortnight ago. I do, however, expect him to be a different horse on Saturday, and I remain convinced that the eight-furlong trip will be within his range. As such, I've not even contemplated binning my ante-post voucher, but the more I think about it, the more confident I am that Adagio will win. And I simply cannot believe that he can be backed at 41/10 with Bet Chronicle. Verdict - 3pts Adagio @ 41/10 (Ladbrokes)