ROYAL APPLAUSE can show the Pertemps 2,000 Guineas is no two horse race at Newmarket today. The first Classic of the season has been widely billed as a rematch between Beauchamp King and Alhaarth, first and second in the Craven Stakes here last month.
That pair dominate the betting, but neither looked a potentially brilliant miler. In the Craven, they had to go all out to pull clear of third placed Polaris Flight who was soundly beaten in the Italian 2,000 Guineas last Sunday.
Better value by far lies with Royal Applause. He did all that could possibly have been asked of him in an unbeaten juvenile campaign which saw him land victories in three pattern races.
A win by no less than four lengths in the Group One Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket earned him an official rating only 2lb lower than Europe's top juvenile Alhaarth and suggested he was still very much on the upgrade.
He is physically the type to do even better in his second season. Lack of a prep race should not be held against him - Mister Baileys and Nashwan both made a successful reappearance in recent runnings of the 2,000 Guineas and Barry Hills has a well deserved reputation for getting a horse ready after a break.
His odds reflect perceived doubts about his staying a mile. But no one who saw him stride clear over six furlongs at Newmarket last October would doubt his lasting a longer trip.
And his pedigree would suggest, at the very least, he is as likely to stay as not. At current odds, it is well worth taking a chance on Royal Applause in what looks a less than vintage year.
Westcourt Magic can overturn some better known names in the Dubai Racing Club Palace House Stakes. A close season gelding operation has transformed the useful juvenile into a smart three year old judged on a scintillating all the way reappearance success at Haydock.
He'll come on considerably for the outing and the potentially high class sprinted can give trainer Mick Easterby his biggest success since Wiganthorpe took the Gimcrack Stakes in 1986.
Hardy Dancer in the Torch Motor Policies At Lloyds Rated Stakes and French Grit in the Ladbrokes Handicap look the best bets elsewhere on a cracking card.
Punters will find little value in tomorrow's Pertemps 1000 Guineas. Short price though she may be at a current 2 to 5, Bosra Sham is very difficult to oppose, provided she is allowed to run after an injury scare.
She has been described by Pat Eddery as my best ever chance of winning the 1,000 Guineas" and it is easy to see why.
The filly bolted up in the Group One Fillies' Mile at Ascot on just her second racecourse appearance last September.
And she proved he had trained on well with a six length victory in the Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury a fortnight ago.
None of her opponents looks up to winning the race in an average year - they will almost certainly he put in their place by a decidedly above average filly in Bosra Sham.
Ruznama can put her name in the Classic picture with victory in the preceding RL Davison Pretty Polly Stakes.
Willie Carson regards the three year old as his likely Oaks mount, which is high recommendation given the number of high quality fillies he has to choose from.
Ruznama showed smart form over seven furlongs last season, when she rounded off a four race campaign with a most emphatic Listed race success here in September. She will be an even better filly over this mile and quarter trip.
