QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS

FRANKIE Dettori’s remarkable return to the sunlit uplands brought another notable triumph on Saturday as Hugo Palmer’s 14/1 chance Galileo Gold ran out a convincing winner of the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Paco Boy colt, hanging towards the stands’ rails, led before the furlong pole and kept on strongly to defeat Massaat by a length and a half with Ribchester two lengths away. Aidan O’Brien’s Air Force Blue, sent off at a frighteningly short 4/5, beat only one home.

First Selection made much of the running but was feeling the strain two furlongs out, where Massaat, bidding to give trainer Owen Burrows a classic winner with his first runner, hit the front and made the best of his way home.

However, he had no answer as Galileo Gold, having moved across from the lowest draw, found another gear and swept past on his near side. Ribchester stayed on willingly for third and Air Vice Marshal, a stable-companion of the market leader, finished a highly creditable fourth under Seamie Heffernan, having been prominent all the way.

Air Force Blue was still in with a shout between the three and two-furlong markers but found very little and was eased down by Ryan Moore. Under the circumstances Godolphin are likely to wonder how Emotionless might have fared but he was taken out and Buratino (9th) appeared not to stay.

Galileo Gold improved throughout his two-year-old career and won this strictly on merit. He may stay a mile and a quarter, though his twice-raced dam Galicuix is a half-sister to King’s Stand and Prix de l’Abbaye winner Goldream. This is the second time in three years, after Night Of Thunder in 2014, that Galileo has been responsible for the dam of the 2000 Guineas winner. Palmer is a bright new talent on the Newmarket scene and this was his first British classic success. It says plenty that Al Shaqab Racing have horses with him at this early stage and the future holds almost limitless possibilities.

“I’ve never believed in a horse quite like I believe in this one,” he said. “He’s a bit quirky but a lovely horse who’s got better and better. We have to work with him and not against him. I’ve felt so ill for the last three weeks waiting for today but it’s been a wonderful story.”

Many were surprised to learn that this was Dettori’s first 2000 Guineas winner since Island Sands in 1999.

“I was worried because we didn’t have the best of draws but it all came together well,” the Italian smiled. “I believe the horse stays further than a mile. It’s great to ride my first classic for Sheikh Joann and I’m full of joy.”

After pondering the matter, Palmer decided to consult the Equinome scientists at University College Dublin on the subject of Galileo Gold’s stamina. Basically, this involves a gene test and further underlines how far racing has come in recent years.

The alternative to a tilt at the Derby, where some firms were happy to offer 16/1 in the aftermath of last week’s impressive display, would be the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

O’Brien was mystified by Air Force Blue’s lack-lustre performance but perhaps some physical problem will come to light.