The Guineas meeting at Newmarket produced two results at opposite ends of the spectrum for the Ballydoyle team in the first two classics of the year.

Minding did what was expected, enhancing her reputation as a Group 1-winning two-year-old going on to classic success.

As things stand there appears no filly around who can come close to her class. The Derby is a possibility but it seems more in the minds of racing pundits than Aidan O’Brien and the Ballydoyle team, if the interview after the Chester Vase was any indication.

Even a colt who may not be of the very highest class will make his reputation by winning at Epsom. A Derby winner is a Derby winner and a valuable stallion prospect. Would you really want a filly stealing his thunder?

Ballydoyle is the interesting horse from the fillies’ race as she raced away from the pace and met some interference, on her first run of the season. She was only committed to the race a week before so should improve too.

Her breeding doesn’t shout middle-distance but her sister Misty For Me was fifth in the Oaks to Dancing Rain in 2011 and stayed 10 furlongs, winning the Pretty Polly in soft ground. Ballydoyle looks and runs like a staying filly.

Minding’s dam Lillie Langtry was more stoutly bred but was never asked to run further than a mile. Even if she doesn’t stay, her class may see her through in the Oaks. But the Derby? Would you throw your second best filly in to it? For an organisation that puts a lot of thought into its names, wouldn’t it be something to see the name Ballydoyle as a Derby winner?

2000 GUINEAS

In the 2000 Guineas, Air Force Blue was as disappointing as Minding was brilliant. By all accounts he had trained on, described by Joseph O’Brien as the best two-year-old he had ridden and developed into a “monster”.

He won the Dewhurst over seven furlongs on good ground beating Massaat by three and a quarter lengths and earned a high rating for that win.

On Saturday, he was in trouble at the five furlong mark, on good to soft ground and faded badly to finish over 15 lengths behind Massaat.

The addition of a tongue-tie sounded a few alarms before the race and the excuse of not staying seem clutching at straws as he was beaten before stamina should have been an issue, based on the ability he showed at two.

Whether he goes back sprinting or is persevered with over a mile is the next question. Ballydoyle horses have rebounded from disappointing Guineas runs before with Tapestry and Qualify recent examples.

O’Brien’s 1987 Dewhurst third Stravinsky was brought back from seven furlongs in his early three-year-old season to become champion sprinter.

MOZART

Mozart in 2001 finished fourth in a Dewhurst, then second in an Irish 2000 Guineas before also becoming dominant as a sprinter over six and seven.

All is not lost but it was a very disappointing start for one hailed as a superstar horse.