Weekend Winners - 2nd May 2026

All attention turns to Newmarket this weekend, with the first Classics of the season. Here are my thoughts on how the 1000 and 2000 Guineas may unfold:

It’s been a great couple of days at Punchestown, with the festival once again delivering a proper end to the jumps season. The highlight was Gaelic Warrior, who completed the Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cup double with another high-class performance, cementing himself as one of the standout horses of the season. Having already shown his versatility throughout the campaign, he stepped up again here and proved he belongs right at the very top level. It was a performance full of authority and one that rounded off a brilliant week of racing, with strong fields, competitive handicaps and a great atmosphere throughout.

Having a look ahead to the first two Classics of the Flat Season, with both the 2000 & 1000 Guineas taking place at Newmarket this weekend...

Saturday

15:35 Newmarket – Betfred 2000 Guineas (Group 1)

The first Colts Classic of the season looks competitive as usual, with a mix of established Group performers and a few looking to improve for the step up to a mile.

Bow Echo heads the market and has the profile you would expect coming into a race like this. He showed strong form at two and already looks proven at a high level, which is usually key in the Guineas. He sets the standard, but there are a few in behind who could close the gap.

DISTANT STORM looks like one of the more interesting runners stepping up in trip. His form suggests he will improve for the mile, and he represents connections who know exactly what is required in this race, so he gets the nod.

Gstaad has already mixed it with some of the best of this generation, including when finishing behind Venetian Sun in the Prix Morny, and that ties him into the top level form. If he settles and sees it out, he should not be far away. King’s Trail and Oxagon both need to find more on what they have shown so far, while the rest look to have a bit to prove at this level.

Sunday

15:35 Newmarket – Betfred 1000 Guineas (Group 1)

The fillies’ Classic looks a strong renewal this year, with plenty of the leading two-year-olds stepping up to a mile for the first time. PRECISE tops the market and sets the standard on what she achieved last season. She won four of her five starts, including the Moyglare, before finishing with a decisive win in the Fillies’ Mile over this course and distance. That form is usually one of the strongest pieces of evidence for this race, and she has already proven she handles both the track and the trip.

Venetian Sun brings high-class sprint form into the race, having won the Prix Morny before finishing behind Precise in the Moyglare. The mile is the obvious question, and she shaped there as though she may just get found out late on again.

True Love is another with Group 1 form and returned with a win on her reappearance, but this is a different test altogether stepping up to a stiff mile. Diamond Necklace is unbeaten and already a Group 1 winner in France, which puts her firmly in the mix if she progresses again.

Of the rest, My Highness and The Prettiest Star would need to find a bit more, but Inis Mor could run well at a big price.