Horse racing: Bookies say definitely Maybe, but Moonstone Magic can be 1,000 Guineas gem

THE hot favourite for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket today is Maybe, trained by Aidan O’Brien who is seeking a Guineas double, but her chance of winning the fillies classic has a big “mebbe” surrounding it.

For, although she was unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old, Maybe avoided the main trials on this side of the Irish Sea, save for the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Maybe should stay the mile and further as she is a daughter of Galileo, while her win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last August was impressive.

Joseph O’Brien rode her that day, and he will be out to win his second British classic 24 hours after lifting his first. She is rightly favourite and should win the fillies’ mile classic before going on to the Oaks at Epsom.

Yet the feeling persists that Maybe will not have everything her own way. Shadwell Stakes winner Lyric of Light, the mount of Frankie Dettori, and above all Moonstone Magic, winner of the Fred Darling Stakes, must surely have a chance of beating Maybe, and the latter should be bet each-way.

A significant piece of news to emanate from Newmarket yesterday was the declaration by Sir Henry Cecil that mighty Frankel had come through his racecourse gallop safely and will take his place in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in 13 days’ time.

• Massive congratulations to Musselburgh for winning the Racecourse of the Year title at the Betview awards ceremony in London during last week. The awards are particularly aimed at those who innovate and put customers first, so it’s a well-deserved honour for the East Lothian track.

Racing in Scotland today is at Hamilton Park with seven races starting at 2:15pm. The Qipco 1,000 Guineas will be shown live at the Lanarkshire course.