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2000 Guineas Update
By Andy Newton
Last updated: 10:26 Friday, April 30, 2010
Andy Newton says......Elusive Pimpernel’s runaway Craven Stakes win has shaken up the 2000 Guineas ante-post market and now has just Canford Cliffs and St Nicholas Abbey ahead of him. On offer as big as 16/1 before his Newmarket win John Dunlop’s 3 year-old is now as low as 5/1, but a BestPrice 6/1.
The colt looked in trouble for a few strides at the 4 furlong marker, but we all know from his 2 year-old days that he finishes his races as good as any and that’s exactly what happened again. The drying ground would have been to his liking, but more importantly he’s also now shown he handles the undulations of Newmarket and a big run back at HQ in early May looks on the cards.
His time was a massive 2.5 seconds quicker than the winner of the Wood Ditton an hour earlier and that’s a clear sign this was a very good run. Yes, St Nicholas Abbey got the better of him in the Racing Post Trophy (3 ¾ lengths) last season, but on a faster surface and providing he can live with the early pace it’s hard not to see him going close in the first Classic of the season.
Moving on to June, many feel John Dunlop’s colt will be even better over further and that’s evident among the layers with the bookmakers shortening his price from 20/1 into a BestPrice 12/1 (as low as 6/1) for the Epsom Derby.
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Paul Jacobs says.....Elusive Pimpernel laid down his 2,000g credentials with an impressive success in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.
One of the first under pressure he lengthened superbly from the dip and readily put to bed the prize comfirming Racing Post form with Dancing David. He is now as low as 5/1 for the 2,000 Guineas with most firms in the market place.
P.J's verdict: "A lovely specimen of a horse, I was impressed by how the winner responded to Ryan Moore's urgings after looking momentarily outpaced three out, but you couldn't have been more impressed by the way he lengthened clear.
He has plenty to find with St Nicholas Abbey from the Racing Post, but will be well suited by the end to end gallop in the first colts' classic and looks to have solid claims with the promise of more to come."
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