2018 Flat Issue 1 - Almost all off the mark

Headlines

Defoe Scores at Newmarket

Warrior Slays Rivals in Guineas

Key unlocks route to Victory

Man sets up Study time for Derby

Report

We start at Newmarket on Saturday where in the 1m 4f group 2, Defoe (Neil), went to post, Tracked leader, lost place over 3f out, headway to chase clear leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, winning comfortably by 3 ¾ l. He gets 42.6 points and still seems to be on an upwards curve.

In the group 1 , 1mile 2000 Guineas, Saxon Warrior ( Not Peej), took his chance, Close up centre, headway to lead overall over 1f out, soon edged left, ridden and ran on, winning by 1 ½ l . He gets 54 points and will be hard to beat in the Derby.

In the 1m 2f listed stakes, Key Victory ( Cliff, Martin, Steve), went to post, Close up in rear centre, headway and switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out , winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 14.1 points.

On Tuesday at Saint- Cloud in the  1m 2f group 2, Study of Man (Cliff), went to post, Led, set very steady pace until headed over halfway, tracked leader, nudged along 2 1/2f out, progress to lead 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on strongly closing stages, winning readily by 2l, he gets 44.2 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                    May       Total

Cliff                     112.3        112.3

Neil                      96.6         96.6

Steve                    68.1       68.1

Martin                 68.1        68.1

Tony                    54        54

Cod                      54            54

Bob                    54           54

Peej                    00          00

News

Aidan O'Brien has announced dual Classic winner Capri has met with a "little setback".

The Galileo colt, winner of the Irish Derby and St Leger last season, made a winning return at Naas last month, but is now likely to miss the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

"Capri had a little setback after his run at Naas," said O'Brien.

"He bruised a shoulder and is just not 100 per cent yet. So I wouldn't say he will make Epsom (Coronation Cup)."

Enable will be out of action until August at the earliest after suffering a setback, connections have announced. Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said in a statement to Press Association Sport: "Enable has met with a setback in training. She has some filling in her knee which is being fully investigated."

Mark Johnston feels the French Derby is the "obvious" choice for Elarqam's next race.

John Gosden hopes Highgarden can use the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York as a stepping stone towards a potential outing at Royal Ascot.

Study Of Man will be considered for both the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and the Investec Derby at Epsom following an impressive display in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on Tuesday.

Aidan O'Brien relies upon Kew Gardens to provide him with a fifth victory in the Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday. John Gosden saddles impressive recent Yarmouth scorer Corelli, while the Andrew Balding-trained King And Empire makes his return after winning on his only two-year-old start at Kempton in October.