Betting tips / Timeform / 05 May 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Timeform's ABC rundown of the first classic of the British season, the Newmarket 2000 Guineas.

Abtaal was progressive in France at two yrs, rounding off with three-length win over French Fifteen in 1m Group 3. Travelled best when beaten just a neck by same rival on return last month. Much respected.

Boomerang Bob won 5f Kempton maiden on debut, and runner-up in three further starts last year, including Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Second to Caspar Netscher in Greenham (7f) on return, but others likelier.

Born to Sea is from an outstanding family that includes Sea The Stars and Galileo. Listed winner on debut at the Curragh (6f), and no surprise if he proves subsequent defeat all wrong (found to be lame post-race).

Bronterre won first two starts last year and signed off with good fourth in Dewhurst here. Pulled too hard when not seen to best effect in Greenham on return and no surprise if he gets back on the up now.

Camelot won on debut in July and justified reports of scintillating homework when running out easy winner of Racing Post Trophy. Top prospect for yard which has won this race five times in last 14 years.

Caspar Netscher enjoyed excellent first season, landing Gimcrack and Mill Reef Stakes. Improved again to land Greenham (7f) on return, but lacks the potential of some of his rivals and stamina to prove.

Coupe de Ville won four times at two yrs, with best performance coming when landing valuable sales race over 7f here on final outing. Stamina seemingly stretched over 1¼m back here on return, but needs to improve.

Fencing built on promise of debut third on July Course here to run out ready winner of Newbury listed event. Creditable third to Camelot in Racing Post Trophy in October, but work to do to reverse form.

French Fifteen was a Group 1 winner at 1m in France last year and gained revenge on old rival Abtaal when narrow winner of Prix Djebel on return. Not certain to confirm that form, but needs considering.

Hermival is a twice-raced French colt that built on debut win to finish staying-on third to French Fifteen and Abtaal in Prix Djebel on return. Trainer won this race in 2010 and interesting outsider.

Power has not been out of first two in six starts at two yrs, winning Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and National Stakes at the Curragh. Strong-finishing second in Dewhurst on final start and has to enter reckoning.

Ptolemaic improved since fitted with visor, finishing runner-up in Pontefract listed race in October. Not disgraced when 8½ lengths fourth in Craven on return but that underlines he has a lot to find here.

Redact won first two starts as a juvenile. Pushed Caspar Netscher close in Mill Reef at Newbury in September and good fourth in Free Handicap on return. Still well short of required standard here, though.

Red Duke won two of first three starts, and better form in defeat subsequently when second in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Respectable fifth in Meydan Group 2 AW) in March, but improvement needed.

Saigon won a maiden and 6f listed race starting out last year, and made the frame in pattern company afterwards. Lot more required here, however, and trip also a slight doubt.

Talwar made rapid strides last summer, winning listed event at Ascot and Solario at Sandown (latter on soft ground). Lost way after but bounced back with Lingfield listed success on return.

Top Offer looked potentially top-notch when making impressive debut at Newbury (7f) sole start at two yrs. Clearly held in some regard, but missed Greenham reportedly due to soft going, and guesswork involved.

Trumpet Major enjoyed successful two-y-o campaign, scoring three times, including Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Impressive winner of Craven over C&D on return and repeat of that form won't see him too far away.

Timeform Verdict
1. Abtaal
2. Camelot
3. French Fifteen

Timeform View
Camelot is a potential star and has to be high on any shortlist but soft ground is an unknown and, at likely short odds, there's perhaps a case to look elsewhere, with French pair Abtaal and French Fifteen both making appeal. The latter finished just in front of Abtaal in the Prix Djebel but Jean-Claude Rouget's charge wasn't given an overly hard race and can reverse the form.