Saturday's Classic insight and latest on the Guineas hope cut to 16-1 (from 100)

The 2022 Flat season is picking up pace and it's 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 respectively.

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's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Our Classic Clues series, which runs every morning, has you covered.

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

Racing round-up: Checkandchallenge enters Guineas picture

An unlikely candidate beforehand, 15-2 chance Checkandchallenge came from last to first to win the Listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle to earn a shot at the 2,000 Guineas.

The William Knight-trained colt beat Aasser, who also won at Lingfield on Friday, on his only start at two and produced a sharp turn of foot to beat Dubai Poet on the all-weather. The favourite Imperial Fighter didn't get the gaps in third.

Checkandchallenge has yet to race on turf and Newmarket's Rowley Mile will ask a different question of him. While many of his relatives were effective on the all-weather, they have also shown winning form on turf.

He is by Fast Company, whose most successful offspring, Jet Setting, won the Irish 1,000 Guineas and was at her best on heavy ground.

'He had to win to warrant a run in the Guineas - and that's still on the agenda'

Market movers

Qipco 2,000 Guineas
Checkandchallenge 16 (from 100)

What they said

William Knight, trainer
I was absolutely delighted and excited with the manner in which he's done it in what looked a competitive field. He had to go and win today to warrant a run in the Guineas, and that's still on the agenda. It looked like there was a bit left there, which there needs to be to be competitive in the Guineas.

We've always liked him and we put a Guineas entry in earlier in the year, so we obviously hold him in high regard. This was to see where we are and we've got to be at least thinking that way. There's improvement still to come from him, it wasn't all about today. The big challenge is he's got to convert his all-weather form across to turf, but there's no reason why he can't.

He did a nice bit of work on the grass gallops last week, which pleased us and made us feel he was definitely above average. He had to prove it on the track, which he's done today.

Danny Tudhope, rider
He's a lovely big horse who had obviously only had the one start before today, and today was all about finding out how good he is. Fair play to William and his team. He travelled well and when he got to the front he was only just doing what he had to do. He's still inexperienced and I'm sure he'll come on leaps and bounds.

All eyes on . . . Newbury

Horses to win the Fred Darling (2.25) and 1,000 Guineas include Salsabil, Shadayid, Bosra Sham and Wince, although the last horse to run at Newbury before winning at Newmarket was Lahan, who finished fourth in 2000.

Last year's winner Alcohol Free went on to win the Coronation and Sussex Stakes though, so it is still a high-class trial for the season ahead.

Godolphin's Wild Beauty has already won a Group 1 as she was victorious in the Natalma Stakes at Woodbine in September, beating subsequent Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca, and she is a 20-1 chance for Newmarket.

Like Radley Stakes winner Jumbly, she has already won over this course and distance, but there are a number of dark horses open to progression in opposition, such as Shaara and Heat Of The Moment.

Night Of Thunder was fourth in the 2014 Greenham won by Kingman, who himself won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and went on to win at Newmarket. The last horse to win both races was the mighty Frankel in 2011.

In this year's race (3.00), Lagardere and Criterium International winner Angel Bleu – a 33-1 chance for the 2,000 Guineas – will face three top juvenile sprinters from last year.

Perfect Power was explosive in the Morny and Middle Park but needs to show he has trained on and stays seven furlongs and beyond. Lusail, Gubbass and Flaming Rib are in a similar position.

The mile maiden (4.10) on the same card is also worth watching as it produced Falmouth winner Snow Lantern last year, while the 1m3f maiden (5.20) frequently produces smart middle-distance horses.

How the markets look

Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, April 30)
bet365: 6-4 Native Trail, 7-2 Coroebus, 9-2 Luxembourg, 9 Point Lonsdale, 12 Dubawi Legend, 14 Perfect Power, 16 Angel Bleu, 20 bar

Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, May 1)
Sky Bet: 5-2 Inspiral, 4 Tenebrism, 10 Discoveries, Homeless Songs, Zellie, 12 Tuesday, 14 Malavath, 16 Mise En Scene, Sandrine, Cachet, 20 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)
Paddy Power: 4 Tuesday, 5 Inspiral, 9 Agave, 12 Concert Hall, 16 Above The Curve, 20 Eclat Du Lumiere, Magical Lagoon, Over The Rainbow, 25 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)
William Hill: 5-2 Luxembourg, 8 Native Trail, Coroebus, 9 Reach For The Moon, 10 Point Lonsdale, 12 New London, 14 Walk Of Stars, 16 bar

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