WHILE things have improved a great deal in recent years, racing has never been famous for being too revolutionary so, as the name suggests, the Sport Of Kings is always likely to be more cavalier than roundhead.
Every now and then, however, the ol
d fogies are right when they say tradition has to be upheld, and today's 2,000 Guineas is a case in point.
Imagine the first Classic of the season was known as the 2,687.160156 (exchange rate correct at time of going to press). It just wouldn't be the same, would it?
Whatever the currency, all that matters as far as punters are concerned is coming up with the winner, and to that end, Raven's Pass looks the business.
Successful in his first three outings as a juvenile, the John Gosden-trained colt then appeared to blot his copybook when only third to New Approach over today's course in the Dewhurst.
That performance saw his conqueror elevated to Guineas favourite and Jim Bolger's Irish raider will go to post at Headquarters this afternoon still holding sway as market leader.
Looking at the bare bones of the form, New Approach fully deserves his place as the Guineas jolly but there are one or two reasons to think Raven's Pass might be about to turn the tables on him.
Or to be more accurate, there's one reason to think Raven's Pass might be about to turn the tables on him – and that's the ground.
In racing parlance, the selection likes to hear his hooves rattle although whether or not any horse is actually capable of such a sensation is open to debate.
What the selection's form does prove, though, is that he's a much more accomplished individual when the going is on the fast side, so with the sun shining on Headquarters over the past few days, conditions should be to his liking.
Raven's Pass couldn't quite cope with Twice Over on his seasonal re-appearance in the Craven although Gosden did warn beforehand that his colt's main aim was the 2,000 Guineas itself rather than the Classic dress rehearsal.
Unfortunately, Gosden's words of wisdom came too late for those of us who had lumped on his runner in the latter. That was, however, only losses lent, and today is pay-back time so fill your boots with Raven's Pass.
As far as tomorrow's 1000 Guineas is concerned, French challenger Natagora is strongly fancied and the great thing is the Pascal Bary trained filly is a grey so we shouldn't have any problems in spotting her as she romps home.
Her record isn't quite unblemished, but as Natagora has won six of her eight starts to date and has finished second in the other two, we'll let her off with it.
Given that sort of run, her talent is clearly in no doubt and the only question mark seems to be her ability to see out the mile trip. But on breeding, that should be no problem.
Mark Johnston's Drill Sergeant carries the nap in the last at Headquarters this afternoon while stablemate Robby Bobby is also worth keeping a close eye on in the opener. Well backed and well fancied on his last outing, he failed to deliver the goods on that occasion but can make amends here.
Hamilton opens its doors for the first time tomorrow and while the card is in opposition to the fillies' Classic, anyone with taste will know the Lanarkshire track is the place to be.
Peter Monteith has enjoyed his most successful National Hunt campaign ever and Shy Glance can confirm the Rosewell handler is just as adept on the level when Wilson Renwick takes the mount in the Jump Jockeys Handicap.
Having managed to nap one of the Alan Swinbank runners that didn't win at Musselburgh yesterday, it's easy to resist the temptation to make Evelith Regent the Sunday best albeit the five-year-old should score.
If he does, he'll do so at very short odds so Smugglers Bay is preferred at what should be more of a working man's price. Tim Easterby's charge spent the winter jumping but showed enough on his return to the level behind Pass The Port at Musselburgh last time out to prove he doesn't need obstacles to bring out the best in him.
At Musselburgh yesterday, Borderlescott returned to action looking as good as ever with a convincing success under Robert Winston. Robin Bastiman's smart sprinter was bidding for his first success over five furlongs but, asked to quicken approaching the final furlong, collared Group 1 winner Desert Lord by a length and a half.
Alan Swinbank has his team in fine fettle and completed a double with First Buddy, who defied top weight under Neil Callan, and Hill Billy Rock.
Skhilling Spirit, partnered by Neil Brown, was another to defy top weight in the Tods Murray Handicap.
Mel Brittain's good run continued in the opener when Big Slick (6-1) defied a 6lb penalty for last week's success at Catterick. Jockey Tyrone Williams said: "He did it well really, he is a bit lazy but he keeps responding to everything you ask of him. The more you ask the more he gives – twice I though we would be beaten, but he wouldn't give in."
Stellite (13-2) won the Gilberts Handicap under a good ride from Daniel Tudhope for Scots trainer Jim Goldie.
The full article contains 912 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
