Alice To Spring To Winning Ways

Aidan O’Brien’s record in the French Guineas is actually poorer than one would expect given the very high standards that he sets himself but rarely has he brought over as strong a hand as he will on Sunday.

Alice to Spring to Winning Ways
There’s no doubting the fact that O’Brien appears to have an abundance of high class fillies at his disposal this season, especially among the Classic generation and that fact should be proven by Alice Springs (11/4) in the French 1,000 Guineas.

There’s a long way to go this season but in finishing third behind Minding, Alice Springs may have been behind the star filly of the season.

There was plenty of chat for Alice Springs going to Newmarket so the fact that she was able to put up a big run wasn’t a major surprise.

Alice Springs was the third home of the O’Brien 1-2-3 for what was his 250th Group One winner of his career and now it is time for her to have her big day in the first of the two French Classics.

O’Brien and the Coolmore team should have a fair idea what lies ahead of them in Qemah – 11/4 with BoyleSports – as she was a length and a half behind Ballydoyle on her final start last season. She made a winning start to this campaign last month but may just fall short to the Irish raider on this occasion.

3.20 Deauville
O’Brien sends over The Gurkha for the 2,000 Guineas and the 5/1 on offer will appeal to many punters following his impressive Navan victory. On that occasion The Gurkha beat Saafarr by nine-lengths and he since came out and was only beaten just over two lengths in last Sunday’s Derrinstown at Leopardstown.

It’s a big ask as Zarak, a son of 2008 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava, is unbeaten as is Zelzal and both represent very strong connections but at 5/1 The Gurkha may be an each-way bet.

Recommeneded Bets:
Alice Springs – 2.15 Deauville
The Gurkha – 3.20 Deauville

*Prices correct at time of publication.