The only question that remains unanswered in my mind ahead of today’s StanJames.com 2000 guineas (3.05) is how far St Nicholas Abbey wins by.
I cannot envisage defeat for Aidan O’Brien’s son of Montjeu, who remains unbeaten in three outings and looked exceptional when slaughtering Elusive Pimpernel in the Racing Post Trophy.
The manner of his victory that day had to be seen to be believed, as Johnny Murtagh let out an inch of rein and he quickened clear instantly to score by a facile 3 ¾ lengths.
It was a superstar performance, and came on the back of a win at the Curragh where he had quickened twice during the race to win with any amount in hand.
Good horses can quicken, but to do it twice is exceptional and it is not surprising that O’Brien rates him as potentially the most exciting horse he has ever handled.
Reports that I have had suggest that St Nicholas Abbey has blossomed during the winter and that has done everything expected of him on the gallops in the build up to this.
If that’s the case then there is no way that Elusive Pimpernel can overturn the Racing Post Trophy form with him, for all that he looked impressive when landing the Craven.
Of the others, Canford Cliffs clearly doesn’t stay as far as I am concerned and is a massive lay, and the ones to chase St Nicholas home could be Awzaan, who I advised at 40-1 ante post last October - see http://www.puntinplay.com/story/newmarket-tv-races-spotlight - and French raider Makfi who has shown tremendous potential in winning both his starts on soft going and could be overpriced at 33-1 if handling the quicker ground.
Selection: St Nicholas Abbey
Dangers: Awzaan and Makfi
