This Saturday is perhaps the busiest day of top-class racing across a multitude of tracks. Not only is it 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket, but Goodwood hosts Listed quality action and Thirsk hosts its titular Hunt Cup.
Matty Sutcliffe is on hand to look through every meeting on the day. He has selections at the abovementioned trio of cards, with four tips to follow.
Goodwood Racing Tips (Saturday 2 May)
Goodwood hosts the relocated Listed Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes. Matty’s selection at the track runs in that Pattern race.
1:30 Goodwood – Fitzdares Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo) – Hassaleh 6/1 1pt WIN
It’s rather telling that Charlie Appleby drops Hassaleh back in trip here given how strong she was at the line when winning at Newmarket two weeks ago. Her pedigree would suggest continuing up in distance, as she’s a half sister to the yards Bedouin Prince who’s won over twelve furlongs, and their dam was second in the 1000 Guineas.
However, it was a slowly run contest there and she displayed bundles of speed in the final furlong, with a finishing speed percentage of 108.35%, and the only filly to clock a sub 12 second final furlong after they quickened up three out.
It’s hard to gauge the form, but she had the field strung out and given her average stride frequency was much higher than that of her stride length, which was fifth of the five runners on average, she clearly has the sharpness to drop back to this trip on this track.
Newmarket Racing Tips (Saturday 2 May)
It is 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket on Saturday. Matty has a selection in that race, as well as a 33/1 tip elsewhere.
1:45 Newmarket – Betfred Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Indian Run 33/1 1pt EW 3 places
Double Rush deserves his position in the market given he’s 8lbs well in after a commanding performance over C&D last time out, but one who I wouldn’t be surprised to see go well at a price is Indian Run, whose mark continues to slip down.
Once rated 105 when contesting the Dewhurst Stakes, the Sioux Nation gelding has been disappointing since but there was promise in some races last season. He was beaten only a length in this race by More Thunder last season off 6lbs higher, and that race has worked out tremendously well.
He bettered that when third to Aramram next time out, faring best of those to race in rear with the Ayr Gold Cup winner in second. His form dipped again thereafter, but Julie Camacho is excellent at rejuvenating these sprinters and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is able to defy this lowering mark sooner rather than later with James Doyle in the saddle.
3:35 Newmarket – Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) – King’s Trail 8/1 1pt WIN
A slightly below par renewal of the 2000 Guineas where doubts around the top two in the market can be applied. Bow Echo’s form is open to question, as is the stamina of Gstaad. A chance is taken of King’s Trail, who also has something to prove making his turf debut.
However, Notable Speech also had something to prove on his turf debut which came in the 2000 Guineas in 2024 after winning the same conditions stakes at Kempton as King’s Trail did last time out.
Sent off the 4/7 favourite, he broke well under Billy Loughnane and travelled behind leaders. Loughnane never looked in danger throughout, and he turned on the turbo with ease down the outside to run out a very smart winner. It was a similar performance on debut at Kempton, when again displaying a smart turn of foot down the outside to win under hands and heels.
By Sea The Stars out of a group winning mare on turf from a prolific family, he’s bred to improve in this sphere and can give Charlie Appleby a third 2000 Guineas in a row with James Doyle in the saddle, as he was for Appleby on Coroebus in 2022.
Thirsk Racing Tips (Saturday 2 May)
Thirsk’s big handicap of the flat season is held on Saturday. Matty’s tip runs in the Thirsk Hunt Cup at an each-way price.
2:40 Thirsk – Sky Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Dashing Darcey 12/1 1pt EW 4 places
Local trainer Geoffrey Harker loves to target a winner here and has a healthy £32.83+ profit margin in handicaps here in the last five seasons, and stable debutant Dashing Darcey will have been primed for this valuable early season pot.
The son of Muhaarar was bought for 110,000gns out of the Roger Varian yard, and very nearly recouped some of that when a close second in a 0-95 at Haydock in May. He was a progressive three year old for Varian, finishing third to the subsequent grade one winner Never So Brave at Chester before easily winning a Haydock handicap in June.
He never featured when midfield in the Brittania Stakes, but he placed in a further two handicaps at this level. A mark of 90 appears workable on that evidence for this seasonal debut, and like many Muhaarar’s he is bred to improve with age.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets for Saturday 2 May
1:30 Goodwood – Fitzdares Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo) – Hassaleh 6/1 1pt WIN
1:45 Newmarket – Betfred Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Indian Run 33/1 1pt EW 3 places
2:40 Thirsk – Sky Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Dashing Darcey 12/1 1pt EW 4 places
3:35 Newmarket – Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) – King’s Trail 8/1 1pt WIN
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Saturday 2 May
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Goodwood, Newmarket & Thirsk on Saturday 2 May.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 11.25am on Friday 1 May.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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