Sunday heralds the arrival of the second Classic of the season – yes, already! It’s the turn of the fillies on the Rowley Mile now, as we welcome the latest running of the famous 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. I know who I’m backing, and now I’m sharing my Newmarket tips.
1000 Guineas Horse Racing Tips: Outsiders to Flourish at Newmarket
In a distinctly open year, I’m going for a very lively outsider to snag the fillies’ Classic for familiar connections. Abashiri may be heading for the Oaks at Epsom, but she can land a big one on the way.
I’m backing another two on the undercard, with prices coming courtesy of bet365, BetVictor, and BetGoodwin, some of the best bookmakers around for horse racing.
| Race | Horse | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 Guineas (3:35 Newmarket) | Abashiri | 16/1 | BetGoodwin |
| 2:20 Newmarket | Falakeyah | 11/2 | bet365 |
| 2:55 Newmarket | Dramatic Star | 5/1 | BetVictor |
Odds correct at 13:15 BST on 01/05/26. Odds subject to change.
1000 Guineas: Appleby, Buick, and Godolphin Again
Charlie Appleby just about owns Newmarket. He has such a high strike-rate, especially on the Rowley Mile. He landed both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas last year, and it’s very possible that he can do the same thing again.
In fact, Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation won both home Classics, as well as the Kentucky Derby and Oaks last year in a weekend clean sweep.
That takes some doing. I didn’t start handicapping this race with these connections in mind, either. Their Abashiri is a big price having only run once in her life, not the typical profile for a 1000 Guineas winner. That said, she’s ahead of Saeed bin Suroor’s Elwateen, who finished a good fourth in this race last year on her own second outing.
Abashiri is essentially on trial for the Oaks. Appleby believes that there is no better prep for the mile-and-a-half Epsom Classic, and he simply wants to see the daughter of Frankel keep up with a classy field and finish the race well up the hill. She will also have to prove her balance for Epsom by handling “The Dip” at Newmarket.
But here’s the thing: the likely pace is coming from stalls 10, 12, and 13, with more even more potentially applied by Aiden O’Brien’s speedster True Love who’s in 16. The first two in the market are drawn across in stalls one and two. That makes the pace angle fascinating, and it’s bound to suit a horse running up the “Golden Highway” on the stands side.
Several well fancied horses are simply not bred for the job either, looking more like sprinters to me. With all that in mind, if ever there was a time a 1000 Guineas was set up for a shock result, it’s now. Abashiri, by the way, will come from stall 14.
Why I’m Backing Abashiri
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Represents Newmarket’s best trainer, jockey, and owner
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As short as 7/1 third favourite for the Oaks
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Drawn in the perfect spot, will stay on past beaten speed horses
The Newmarket Supporting Cast: Two More Value Selections
With the 1000 Guineas tips in the bag, it was time to turn my attention to the rest of Sunday’s valuable card. In the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes (2:20), Falakeyah just leapt off the page at me. This bet was all about instinct.
I remember very well how she demolished a good field on the same day last year. Her jockey, Jim Crowley, said that with hindsight, she would have had a great chance had they sent her into the 1000 Guineas. Her form tailed off, but some issues were uncovered and trainer Owen Burrows has her back where he wants her.
She’s a very classy type, and she’s great value to show that class against relatively underwhelming Group 2 opposition. Her running style will suit this course, as it did a year ago, and once again, she’s drawn in the right spot under Saffie Osborne.
Another one I jumped all over was William Haggas’ Dramatic Star in the staying handicap at 2:55. I backed him when I was at All Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle over Easter, and I thought he was a lovely looking type close up. He didn’t get the job done that day, but he was heavily supported.
I reckon Haggas already has the Ebor in mind for this lad, and I’ve no doubt at all he remains very well handicapped back on a surface he will prefer.
Sunday Newmarket Horse Racing Tips:
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Falakeyah – 2:20
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Dramatic Star – 2:55
