Four things we learned from four scintillating days of racing at Newmarket

The four-day Guineas meeting at Newmarket capped a brilliant first week back for racing in Britain and here are four things to take away from the big-race action.

Oisin Murphy exuding confidence in the saddle

Oisin Murphy has admitted in the past dips in confidence have affected his riding but Britain's reigning champion jockey has returned from a ten-week enforced absence seemingly full of belief.

He was brilliant on Kameko in the 2,000 Guineas, even better on Dancing Willoughby the following day and ensured the Pretty Polly was run to suit Run Wild.

The way he broke and stole the rail aboard unraced two-year-old Bright Devil from a wide draw on Thursday showed a jockey in total command of his craft.

He is going to be mightily difficult to stop as he goes for another title, but he does not yet have sole possession of the lead with Hollie Doyle making a similarly breakneck start and averaging more than a winner a day for the first week.

Mark up those who overcame track/rail bias

Plenty was made over the four days of the seeming bias towards front-runners and those who raced close to the rail, which might be something to keep in mind when impressive winners Ghaiyyath and Far Above return to the track, but perhaps it is also worth marking up the performances of those who managed to overcome the perceived bias.

Ghaiyyath: hugely impressive but did have things in his favourCredit: George Selwyn

Kameko, and to a lesser degree Love in the 1,000 Guineas, both came up the middle of the track, while the heavily-backed Eye Of Heaven made light work of having to do similar in one of the juvenile contests and it is no surprise to see him at the head of the Norfolk Stakes betting.

Roger Varian's Setarhe was another well-supported juvenile. She was slowly away yet came from last to first to overhaul Cirrus – who led on the rail – with Andrea Atzeni only picking up his whip once. It was a mighty effort and she looks a talented filly with the Albany the obvious race for her at Royal Ascot.

Eye Of Heaven (silver silks) was a very impressive juvenile winner

Johnston and Balding the ones to catch

Despite all the difficulties surrounding the resumption of racing, Mark Johnston has hit the ground running with 14 winners in the first seven days – four of which were juveniles.

Having precocious two-year-olds ready for the start of the spring is something Johnston has long been renowned for and even a lengthy delay to he start of the season has not been enough to tip things in his rivals' favour.

He is a trainer punters can always trust to have his horses ready and firing, whatever the circumstances.

Andrew Balding has made a similarly fiery start – saddling eight winners since Monday and walking away with the season's first Classic.

Kameko wins the Qipco 2,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker

The question now is how long will they set the pace for? With Royal Ascot little more than a week away, their runners certainly seem to be in the right place.

Vertem Futurity Trophy a key Guineas trial

The Vertem Futurity Trophy has historically been viewed as more of a Derby trial, with High Chaparral, Motivator, Authorized, St Nicholas Abbey and Camelot all progressing from the race to win at Epsom the following season.

Yes, Camelot also won the Guineas but the last three winners of the Doncaster (or Newcastle, weather intervening) Group 1 have all gone on to Guineas glory – with Kameko this weekend matching the achievements of Saxon Warrior and Magna Grecia.

The Dewhurst winner may have a sexier profile through the winter, but recent evidence suggests the Vertem Futurity is becoming the better place to look for Classic clues.

Read more:

All O'Brien needs is Love as star filly sets up Oaks date with Guineas rout

It's Moore's Guineas but the new normal will now impact Ballydoyle riding plans

No fluke says Hughie Morrison after 200-1 Romsey runs close fifth in Guineas

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