2011 2000 Guineas Power Rankings

While we are certainly still in the thick of the jumps racing season, the turn of the New Year always gets punters pondering the spring and summer flat season in the UK. The 2000 Guineas are the first classic to run each season and the 1m contest is a real kingmaker. While there are several top contenders for the 201 year-old race, we’ll be examining five top prospects for Guineas glory.

#5 Biondetti (Bernardini)

This Godolphin-owned bay colt acquitted himself decently in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, finishing fourth when sent off at a 16/1 price. The globetrotting Al Zarooni-trained contender boasts a strong claim to be able to handle the Guineas distance as he’s one of the few contenders in the antepost wagering to have already conquered a mile at Group 1 level- scoring in the Gran Criterium at San Siro. If the Juvenile had have been at a pure mile instead of 1m½f he would have likely finished on the board, at least but nobody had a chance on the dirt against Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie). Outside of his element as a turf runner you have to respect Biondetti’s ability to stand off some of the best colts of his generation. Many bloodstock observers are pointing to Bernardini as a sire to watch this year and an upset Guineas score would be a major feather in his cap. While Biondetti is currently trading around 33/1 with William Hill, his price would be halved if we see withdrawal from Frankel (Galileo).

#4 Zoffany (Dansili)

His father was an out and out miler and he’s already got a Group 1 score at the 7f distance so you can see why we’d be including this AP O’Brien-trained upstart in such a prominent position for the 2000 Guineas. This Irish-bred bay took the top-level Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over a talented field before turning in a third place performance in the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National at the Curragh despite putting in career-best numbers. There were still plenty of positives to take from the day and the thinking indicates that he was undone by the soft ground- his two Group-level scores were over turf listed as yielding. Look for him to continue his partnership with Johnny Murtagh in the new year with an eye firmly fixed on the Guineas. You’ll find him trading between 16/1 and 25/1.

#3 Roderic O’Connor (Galileo)

You’ve got to respect connections like these as Roderic O’Connor is an incredibly well-bred bay colt that hasn’t shied away from some of the top contenders of his generation. A very credible second place finish to Frankel in the Dewhurst Stakes gives plenty of confidence to his ability to put in a solid shift against the Juddmonte-bred Guineas favourite, however you bet Mrs Magnier and the other owners will be hoping Frankel withdraws and looks elsewhere. Galileo’s had an incredible 2009 and he is definitely bred for a crack at 1m. He’s already proven his chops at the distance with a comfortable score in the Group 1 Criterium at Saint-Cloud. He’s definitely a logical contender and you can lock in as high as 14/1 on the AP O’Bren-trained sensation.

#2 Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj)

Undefeated in five races, Wootton Bassett is easily one of the strongest two year-olds to emerge onto the UK scene in quite some time. He would be a more than solid favourite for the Guineas win if Frankel wasn’t grabbing all the headlines. His quirky pedigree shouldn’t be underestimated as he is well-bred for a distance anywhere from 1m-1m4f and you can count on him to make a real impression throughout the classic season if he manages to stay healthy. A close relative to Group 1 winning mare Zee Zee Top (Zafonic), he’s set to make a real statement for Iffraaj (Zafonic). He won going away in nearly every race he’s run in and the win in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere showed the type of class he’ll need to hit the board in May. Watch for him around 12/1 in the antepost.

#1 Frankel (Galileo)

The unbeaten winner of the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes absolutely pounded that field on the day and he made a major statement about his classics intensions at the same time. The Khalid Abdulla-owned bay colt looks set to be another high-earning son of top sire Galileo as he looks poised on the precipice of three year-old success. While there is a world of difference between two year-old racing and three year-old classics (St Nicholas Abbey anyone?), many racing pundits consider Frankel one of the sharpest prospects in decades. It’s a little bit ridiculous to think that he’s already odds-on to win the 2000 Guineas with William Hill but you have to admit that it’s a clear reflection of the impact this colt is expected to have on the UK scene this year.