'He's every inch a Derby prospect' - our experts on how they see the 2026 Classics shaping up

After Hawk Mountain landed the final British juvenile Group 1 of the season at Doncaster on Saturday, we asked our experts who they like for next year's Classics . . . 

'12-1 Gewan looks the Guineas value'

The 12-1 still available about Dewhurst winner Gewan for the 2,000 Guineas makes appeal given he's proven on the track, looks sure to stay a mile and Andrew Balding has won the race twice since 2020 with juvenile Group 1 winners.

The fact Aidan O'Brien is set to saddle 11 runners in staying juvenile Group 1s across the weekend is remarkable even by his standards. Any of the first three in the Futurity could develop into leading Derby contenders but, with the risk of looking stupid very quickly, the one who created the biggest impression on me was Pierre Bonnard in the Zetland at Newmarket.

It's hard to look beyond Ballydoyle for the fillies' Classics either, with Diamond Necklace and Precise both highly impressive at Group 1 level this autumn.
Andrew Sheret, analyst

'Pierre Bonnard looked every inch a Derby prospect'

I’ve yet to see a performance that delivered the same ‘wow moment’ that came with watching Pierre Bonnard, who travelled supremely well before quickening nicely to win the Zetland Stakes.

By Camelot out of a Nassau Stakes-winning mare who stayed a mile and a half, he looks every inch a Derby prospect.

I can't have Albert Einstein as the favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, despite all the hype, while Bow Echo doesn't exactly have the frame to suggest he would make a brilliant three-year-old. I wouldn't put anyone off Talk Of New York, who was mightily impressive at Kempton, or Autumn Stakes winner Hankelow.

Hankelow (middle): Autumn Stakes winner could prove up to the 2,000 GuineasCredit: JOHN GROSSICK

Diamond Necklace looked good when landing the Prix Marcel Boussac and is the right favourite for the Oaks, while Precise could be hard to beat in the 1,000 Guineas if her Fillies’ Mile win is anything to go by.

However, I do have my eye on The Prettiest Star, who shaped really well when beaten half a length on just her second start in the Rockfel. Her pedigree suggests she’ll be at least as effective at a mile and I’m happy to take a chance at 25-1 for the 1,000 Guineas.
Harry Wilson, tipster

'Talk Of New York could follow Notable Speech route'

It's a tricky one because Aidan O'Brien has the best horses but it depends on how he splits them up and he doesn't seem to target the 2,000 Guineas as much these days.

I wouldn't fancy Albert Einstein in that at all because horses as precocious as he is don't tend to win the race, he's unproven at the trip and he's had injury issues.

Bow Echo deserves his place towards the head of the market but I'd rather take a chance on something at a much bigger price like Talk Of New York, who can follow the Notable Speech route to Newmarket via Kempton.

Talk Of New York: an impressive debut winner for Godolphin at KemptonCredit: Getty Images

Hawk Mountain deserves to be favourite for the Derby, but the two O’Brien horses I am most excited about are Benvenuto Cellini and Pierre Bonnard, who are probably 1m2f horses. The former ran a bold race in the Futurity given he hated the ground, and the latter is a stunning specimen who runs in France on Sunday.
Maddy Playle, tipster

Read these reports next:

'You dream about this' - Ronan Whelan wins Futurity for Aidan O'Brien on new Derby favourite 

True Love new 1,000 Guineas joint-favourite after downing Cheveley Park rivals - but Aidan O'Brien expresses stamina concerns 

'He's head and shoulders above any colt we've trained' - Bow Echo cut to 10-1 for next season's 2,000 Guineas 

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