A market shake-up and all eyes on 2,000 Guineas declarations ahead of Classic

The 2022 Flat season is picking up pace and it is full steam ahead to the first of the Classics – the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket – on April 30 and May 1.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it is easy to miss a potential dark horse. Our Classic Clues series, which runs every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of the action on Wednesday and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note on Thursday.

Another shake-up in the 1,000 Guineas market

Homeless Songs was as short as 5-1 for Sunday's Qipco 1,000 Guineas on Monday but her trainer Dermot Weld confirmed she will instead head to the French equivalent on May 15.

The trainer believes the filly needs more time after her reappearance victory and will be more suited to the track at Longchamp than Newmarket's straight mile. She is a best-price 7-2 for the Group 1.

Ralph Beckett also revealed Angel Bleu will return to France – where he won two Group 1s last season – rather than head to Newmarket, where he had been a 50-1 shot for the 2,000 Guineas.

Also on Wednesday, Richard Fahey expressed his concerns about Perfect Power handling the preliminaries as he readies the colt for Saturday's Qipco 2,000 Guineas.

The Greenham winner has come close to boiling over and bolting to the start on several occasions, prompting the trainer to take action this weekend. The son of Ardad will go early and be walked some way to the start.

There weren't any Classic indicators on the track Wednesday, but we may have seen a Royal Ascot winner as Grande Dame won the conditions race for fillies at the Berkshire track in the style of a smart prospect. She has an entry in the Coronation Stakes.

All eyes on . . . 2,000 Guineas declarations

There won't be any relevant action on track on Thursday but all eyes will be on the declarations for the 2,000 Guineas.

19 are still engaged but how many of those will stand their ground for the opening Classic of the season?

The Aidan O'Brien-trained horses aside, Bayside Boy, Boundless Ocean and Dr Zempf are without jockey bookings.

How the markets look

Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, April 30)

bet365: 10-11 Native Trail, 4-1 Coroebus, 9-2 Luxembourg, 11 Perfect Power, 14 Point Lonsdale, 16 Dubawi Legend, 22 bar

Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, May 1)

Sky Bet: 11-4 Tenebrism, 11-2 Discoveries, 13-2 Tuesday, 7 Malavath, 9 Zellie, Wild Beauty, 10 Mise En Scene, 14 Cachet, Juncture, 16 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Paddy Power: 7-2 Tuesday, 4-1 Emily Upjohn, 6-1 Life Of Dreams, 8 Concert Hall, 9 Agave, 10 Nashwa, 12 Inspiral, Above The Curve, 14 Magical Lagoon, 20 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

William Hill: 5-2 Luxembourg, 8 Reach For The Moon, 10 New London, Point Lonsdale, 12 Native Trail, 14 Walk Of Stars, Antarah, 16 Coroebus, 20 bar

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