Godolphin and the 2000 Guineas

The extremely competitive Middle Park Stakes didn’t disappoint on Saturday, with the prize heading back to France after the Andre Fabre-trained Earthlight beat Golden Horde.

Godolphin have an embarrassment of riches looking ahead to the 2000 Guineas next year, but I don’t think they should keep their horses apart.

I’m happy to be proved wrong on Pinatubo if we’re going to see a new superstar, but I think Earthlight will make a better three-year-old.

He travelled and stayed well over 6f and was doing all his best work at the end of the race, so he should get a mile next year.

Millisle and the 1000 Guineas

Millisle won the Cheveley Park Stakes for Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington on Saturday, who had both previously stated that she wouldn’t be the stable’s best two-year-old filly.

I don’t think it was a vintage renewal of the race, but the winner came with a wet sail in the final furlong to sweep past long-time leader and odds-on favourite Raffle Prize.

She did win well and congratulations to her connections, but I don’t think she’ll be fighting for Classic honours any time soon.

Tropbeau ran well from behind and will probably appreciate further next year, while Etoile ran very green on just her second ever racecourse start but showed plenty of promise.

I wouldn’t be writing her off at all, despite the fact she’s by War Front, whose progeny tend to be much better at two years old than three.

How far can Lord North go?

The 33-runner Cambridgeshire Handicap went to the well-backed favourite Lord North for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.

All the talk after the race was about a potential winter campaign, and it would be great if he were aimed at the Betway Winter Derby in a bid to make up for last year’s defeat with Wissahickon.

I’ve long been a fan of Lord North and think he’ll certainly make it into a Group horse but, being so lightly-raced, a campaign on the All-Weather would do him no harm, especially with the superb prize money on offer.

Honourable mentions

Ralph Beckett introduced a newcomer called Evening Spirit in the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, who will soon be winning.

She was very well-backed prior to the off and seemed to be swept off her feet all through the race, but started to get going as they came out of the dip and stayed on very well to finish fifth.

Ones to watch

I think this answer is the same as every racing fan: seeing Enable for one last time in the Arc.

It would be fantastic to see her win the race for a third time on her final ever start and I wish her connections all the best.

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