Saxon Warrior

5th-May-2018

Masar was tempting in the Guineas.  He was so impressive in winning the Craven Stakes, over the Guineas course and distance, and his closing sectionals were very good.  Also, his draw in stall 14 looks ideal for a front-runner like him.

I just worry that he will not have it all to himself today, it would be surprising if at least one of the Ballydoyle horses did not go forward as well, and that may force Masar into going faster than he wants to go earlier than he wants to go.

Gustav Klimt has a big chance, he did well to win the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last summer, after suffering interference, and he was impressive in beating the talented Imaging in the Leopardstown Guineas Trial last month on his first run since.

However, I just think that Saxon Warrior is going to be a better horse than Gustav Klimt this season.

He was very good last year, he was unbeaten in three runs.  He won his maiden and he won the Group 2 Beresford Stakes, and he did very well to win the Racing Post Trophy, coming back at Roaring Lion after he had passed him.

It may be that he will be a Derby horse this term, but he could be a Guineas horse too.  His dam, Maybe, won the Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven furlongs and finished third in the Guineas.  He could be effective over a mile, at least at this stage of the season.  And it is probable that they will go a fast pace, which should bring his stamina into play.

It is a fascinating contest, but it may come down to a battle between the top three in the market, and I thought that Saxon Warrior was the over-priced one.

SAXON WARRIOR WON (ADV 9/2, SP 3/1)