Classic clues on show: Greenham insight as colts bid to make Guineas case

2.40 NewburyWatership Down Stud Greenham Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

Can Hannon trio take advantage of less darn hot race?

With Too Darn Hot missing from the playing field due to heat in a splint bone, the goal is wide open for one of these contenders to score what would have seemed an unlikely victory when last season’s champion two-year-old was scheduled to run.

That is not to look down on the quality of the runners, more of an appreciation of what Too Darn Hot achieved last year during his four-race unbeaten campaign.

These three-year-olds will be aiming to make the most of his absence and earn themselves a place in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4.

Leading the way is Boitron, one of three runners for trainer Richard Hannon.

Urban Icon (stripes, far-side): unbeaten in two starts for Richard HannonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He runs for the first time since having a wind operation over the winter and Hannon said: “We've tweaked a few things over the winter. He's in good form and I think he’ll run well. He was fourth on good ground in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at the Arc meeting and he'll go on soft ground no problem.”

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Urban Icon and He’Zanarab also feature for Hannon, and Urban Icon is a colt the trainer is particularly looking forward to this season.

“He carries a lot of our hopes this season,” Hannon said. “We put him away after he won his first two races very easily, and physically he's done as well as any horse I've ever seen here – he was always big but he's massive now and very strong.

“He's done some really nice work both at home and on the track at Kempton, and Tom Marquand tells me he thinks he'll get a mile already. I think he'll be very competitive.”

GREENHAM AS A 2,000 GUINEAS TRIAL IN LAST TEN YEARS

Greenham winner to follow up in Guineas: Frankel (2011)
Greenham winner placed in Guineas: Barney Roy (2017), Kingman (2014), Dick Turpin (2010)

Another bargain buy seeks big success

While plenty has been made of the exploits of bargain-buy Tiger Roll since his second success in the Grand National last weekend, those connected with Great Scot have not done too badly themselves when it comes to the sales ring.

Great Scot: bought back for just £2,500 at the yearling salesCredit: John Grossick

Bought back for a mere £2,500 as a yearling, Great Scot won three of his five races last season, including a Listed prize at Haydock, earning nearly £50,000 in prize-money.

Tom Dascombe, who trains the colt for Empire State Racing, said: “Boitron looks quite good but we're not going there without a strong chance. Great Scot’s entered in the 2,000 Guineas and this is about where do we go next.

"It’ll be quite informative and I’m looking forward to it with a certain amount of nervous excitement.”

What the rest say

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Hello Youmzain
He's in great form and had a very good year last year. The step up in trip is an unknown but we think he can handle it.

Marcus Tregoning, trainer of Mohaather
I think the worry with a potential Guineas horse is that you have the Guineas before the Guineas. We don’t really want that. I see it as a trial. He'll go well prepared and in very good form. Hopefully he'll run a nice race. There are no guarantees he'll be good enough to win but he's in very good form.

David Bowe, racing manager to Jeff Smith, owner/breeder of No Nonsense
We're very happy with him and he looks to have grown up an awful lot. It's a very competitive race and a serious field. We do like him an awful lot and so this is the track we're choosing to take.

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