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After a memorable weekend on the track in Newmarket for the 2000 Guineas meeting, the Flat season will now open up into a hugely exciting schedule of events on the horizon. 

We take a look back at the weekend action and present five things we learnt which are well worth keeping in mind with the Ten to Follow just days away from entries closing. 

No shift in the guard, but other forces are rising

Kameko’s victory in the Qipco 2000 Guineas was no real surprise, but it was a timely nod toward the steady but recognisable growth of Andrew Balding’s operation in recent years. This son of Kitten’s Joy is likely to have his date with further destiny in the Investec Derby next month. Stamina is far from assured, but we know he has the class to warrant a place among the favourites for that classic.

The established forces of Gosden, O’Brien and the boys in blue at Godolphin are still omnipotent, but the likes of Andrew Balding are slowly making their way to that level. 

Kameko is clearly a big player for the Ten to Follow season, but Balding trains a raft of Group class performers who can also rack up plenty of points. 

Teal could have a new sprinting star on his hands

When he won the Portland handicap at Doncaster from a mark of 105, Oxted gave the impression he was on the cusp of transitioning into Group class races. Roger Teal’s four-year-old son of Mayson reappeared in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes on Friday at Newmarket and was uneasy in the betting beforehand.

Despite this, Oxted travelled powerfully throughout and put the race to bed in very good style. He didn’t quite run up to his Portland figures, but didn’t really need to and with improvement likely, Oxted is not a bad option to have on side on your shortlist of sprinters in the Ten to Follow competition. 

A word of caution on Ghaiyyath & Stradivarius has still got it

Good, isn’t he? When Ghaiyyath gets it right, there are few finer sights in Flat racing than Charlie Appleby’s son of Dubawi rolling along in front and getting his rivals out of their comfort zone. 

There is no doubt the five-year-old is a top class performer, but given his style of racing - can Ghaiyyath be relied upon to maintain his form? He’s thrown in the odd stinker before and does come with an alarm bell or two in regard to Ten to Follow inclusion. 

Love could dominate an ordinary bunch

Aidan O’Brien’s Love was a dominant winner of the Qipco 1000 Guineas on Sunday and was subject to a wave of new entries in the Ten to Follow. In a field which looked really deep and strong on the face of it, this stoutly-bred Galileo filly brought her stamina and class to the fore with a towering performance under Ryan Moore.

You’d imagine she will go down the Oaks route, which will help her bump into all sorts of Ten to Follow Bonus points opportunities. If the 1m4f route doesn’t quite pan out, this filly has countless options in terms of trip and race. Something like the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown could be right up her street over ten furlongs. 

Don’t forget the pace bias at Newmarket

A word of note to all Ten to Follow players is to pay close attention to the pace bias on show at Newmarket across the meeting. Countless talented hold up horses will be worth forgiving for their efforts here as there was a very strong bias favouring those who raced prominently.

Of course it is always attractive to lean toward the horses that won a big race, especially when it comes to the Ten to Follow. But equally, it will pay to look out for horses who ran well in defeat at Newmarket, in the face of a track bias that was out of their control.

Ten to Follow is now Open! With more bonus races and more features, now is the time to form and own your stable for the Flat season! Register here today.


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