Newmarket 2000 and 1000 Guineas 2009

This weekend at Newmarket sees the first two Classics of the Flat Racing season run over the Rowley Mile. In the 2000 Guineas Delegator and Rip Van Winkle have come in for plenty of support in the antepost market. Delegator was well backed for the race before even setting foot on a racecourse this season. He established his position at the head of the market with an impressive win over the course in the Craven Stakes. Rip Van Winkle comes from the Aidan O'Brien yard and is the chosen mount of Johnny Murtagh. Both horses were amongst the also rans behind Intense Focus in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last October. Also in that race were Ashram, Lord Shanakil, Finjaan and Ouqba. The 2000 Guineas does look very open but Delegator must have improved a lot for trainer Brian Meehan to be so confident about him. Ashram joined Godolphin after the Dewhurst where he finished upsides Delegator and might be the eachway value under Frankie Dettori. Rainbow View looks as though she could be something special and should win the 1000 Guineas on Sunday if reproducing her two year old form. For all the latest news from Newmarket Racecourses click on Newmarket. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".