Kent-based trainer John Best has not yet tasted Classic success but has a live contender for Saturday’s StanJames.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in the shape of Inler, who is continuing to impress in the build up to the big race.
A son of Red Ransom, Inler won his only start to date in great style when taking the six-furlong EBF Federation of Bloodstock Agents Maiden Stakes on the Rowley Mile by four lengths in October, 2009. He will be making his seasonal debut in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas but pleased connections in a racecourse gallop during the Craven Meeting at Newmarket on 15th April. Stan James, who are offering non-runner no bet on both the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas and the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas, make him a 16/1 chance for glory on Saturday.
A share in Inler has been sold to the Sangster Family, who now own the colt in partnership with Maggie Findlay, the mother of colourful professional gambler Harry Findlay.
Best reported: "It would be nice to be in the shake-up with Inler. Everything has been spot on with the horse apart from getting a run into him.”
Best was impressed with Inler’s workout at Newmarket and continued: "I said to Tony Culhane that I wanted it to be a proper piece of work against Halsion Chancer who is a pretty good work horse and better working than he is on the track, though having said that he has won since the gallop (taking a Sandown Park mile handicap on Saturday), showing that he is a capable horse.
"Inler impressed in that work, pulling clear and he never came off the bridle. He had a proper blow afterwards.
"He did his best ever piece of work on Saturday, looks in good form and should stay a mile."
Best is also set to be represented in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas by outsider Elspeth’s Boy, currently rated a 50/1 hope with Stan James. As with Inler, Elspeth’s Boy was successful on his only previous outing, taking a seven-furlong maiden on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton in November.
The Tiznow colt came second in the gallop at Newmarket Racecourse on April 15, but has had a more difficult preparation according to Best.
The trainer continued: "Elspeth’s Boy has not come to himself this year, though having said that he has improved dramatically in the last two weeks. I am just afraid that the Guineas is going to come too soon for him.
"He won on his first start in a Wolverhampton maiden over seven furlongs in November. He had had a racecourse gallop before that and certainly knew the time of day then. He has plenty of raw talent and should stay a mile and a quarter."
