Native Trail odds-on for Classic redemption as Irish 2,000 Guineas line-up forms

The 2022 Flat season is in full swing after the first two Classics, the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas.

Attention now turns towards Epsom with the Cazoo Derby and Oaks next month, as well as the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, and market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials continue to be run. Our Classic Clues series has you covered.

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

Tuesday round-up: 21 left in the Derby after latest acceptance stage

There was Classic interest away from the track on Tuesday as contenders for the Cazoo Derby and this weekend's Irish 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas were scratched.

Ante-post market leaders Desert Crown and Stone Age were among the 21 horses who stood their ground for the Epsom Classic with Luxembourg and Point Lonsdale some of the high-profile, but expected absentees.

Sandown trial runner-up Cash was the shortest-priced defector having been trading at a general 16-1 before being taken out by his trainer David Simcock. The next stage of Derby declarations come with six day confirmations on Monday, May 30, where connections can stump up £75,000 to supplement a late contender.

Unlike the majority of the Derby entrants, Native Trail has already had a taste of Classic action this season and, after being turned over by stablemate Coroebus in the 2,000 Guineas, aims to go one better in the Irish equivalent this Saturday (3.20).

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt is as short as 1-3 with some firms as 11 remain in contention to run following Tuesday's forfeit stage. The first Irish Classic of the season has not gone the way of Godolphin since star stallion Dubawi struck in 2005, but that record looks likely to change at the weekend.

Native Trail (right): leading contender for the Irish 2,000 GuineasCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Buckaroo is Native Trail's closest rival and is a general 7-2 shot in the betting after his Tetrarch Stakes success over course and distance at the start of the month. However, regular rider Shane Crosse reiterated last week that the Qatar Racing-owned colt could still be rerouted to the Derby.

Wexford Native chased home Buckaroo in that Listed contest and could represent Jim Bolger, who saddled the first two home last year. Bolger also has Boundless Ocean entered with Aidan O'Brien similarly dual-handed with Ivy League and The Acropolis.

O'Brien has also left 1,000 Guineas third Tuesday in the Curragh version on Sunday (3.45), and, with the form of the Newmarket Classic working out fairly well after Cachet's fine run at Longchamp on Sunday, the Ballydoyle representative just leads the market from Dermot Weld's Homeless Songs.

History and Concert Hall could also represent O'Brien while the British challenge could be provided by Mise En Scene, Wild Beauty and Purplepay respectively.

What they say

James Ferguson, trainer of Mise En Scene

"Mise En Scene's in great nick. Thinking of all the positives, I think the Curragh will suit better than Newmarket, it's got a bit of an uphill finish and they've had a bit of rain.

"It's a huge thrill to have a horse of this calibre, that we're talking about a Classic, for owners [Qatar Racing and Sangster family] that have been very good to me and, more importantly, to the sport. They've put a lot into racing and it would be wonderful if I could repay them by running well in Ireland."

Market movers

Irish 2,000 Guineas
Ivy League 8-1 (from 20 with William Hill)

Irish 1,000 Guineas
History 5-1(from 13-2)

All eyes on. . . Goodwood's Friday decs

John and Thady Gosden are already superbly stocked for the Oaks with ante-post favourite Emily Upjohn and recent Newbury Listed scorer Nashwa, but there could be a third contender in action at Goodwood on Friday.

Emotion, a daughter of Frankel, was a visually impressive winner at Kempton last time out where she bolted up by 16 lengths and is entered in the Listed William Hill Height Of Fashion Stakes (2.10).

Emotion is 25-1 with Friday's race sponsor for the Epsom Classic and although well beaten on her debut at Sandown by her stablemate Emily Upjohn, it will be interesting to have another look at the Qatar Racing-owned filly to gauge whether she can handle the step up in class.

How the markets look

Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20 Curragh, May 21)

Sky Bet: 1-3 Native Trail, 7-2 Buckaroo, 12 Ivy League, 20 Wexford Native, The Acropolis, 33 bar

Irish 1,000 Guineas (3.45 Curragh, May 22)

Sky Bet: 5-2 Tuesday, 11-4 Homeless Songs, 5 History, 8 Mise En Scene, Concert Hall, 10 Hermana Estrella, 12 Wild Beauty, 14 Agartha, Purplepay, 16 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Sky Bet: 5-4 Emily Upjohn, 4 Tuesday, 5 Nashwa, 9 With The Moonlight, 10 Concert Hall, 12 Tranquil Lady, 14 Above The Curve, 16 History, Life Of Dreams, Thoughts Of June, 25 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

bet365: 2 Desert Crown, 5-2 Stone Age, 7 Changingoftheguard, Piz Badile, 12 United Nations, 14 Eydon, Star Of India, Westover 16 Nahanni, Walk Of Stars, 25 bar

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday