Unless the heavens open over Newmarket over the 24 hours, there’s a good chance that Elm Park won’t line up for the Qipco 2000 Guineas – and that would be a real shame.

• William Hill 2000 Guineas Odds Today

Trainer Andrew Balding thinks the world of the Phoenix Reach colt, too much to risk him on the forecast good to firm going in the season’s first classic. Hugely impressive winner of the Racing Trophy at Doncaster in the autumn after landing the Royal Lodge at Newmarket, Elm Park will have plenty of other opportunities to prove himself a genuine Group 1 performer this year and punters will now at least get their money back if risking a bet at the general 12/1 should Balding decide that the ground is too fast.

• Derby odds are available from as early as Royal Ascot the previous season. Epsom prices are constantly updated during the early trials and after the 2000 Guineas. There is also a strong ante-post market for the Epsom Oaks. William Hill promotions keep you right up-to-date on the latest Classic odds.
• He has taken 9% of bets for the 2000 Guineas in the last week, causing a few firms to clip him into as short as 11/2. You can still get a standout price of 15/2 though. Kinross, who was sent off favourite for the Vertem Futurity, has been the third most popular horse in the market, taking 6% of bets in the last seven days.
• How To Profit From 2000 Guineas Odds. The 2000 Guineas betting is an interesting and potentially rewarding challenge for punters. Held very early in May or very late in April, the 2000 Guineas over a straight mile is the first classic of the season, and the odds are keen.

With a weekend of UK horse racing ahead of us, WhichBookie racing tipster Will Smith gives his thoughts on the 2000 Guineas and other races at Newmarket. Be sure to take a look at our other free betting tips for upcoming sporting events in horse racing, football and more.

Richard Hannon won the Qipco 2000 Guineas last year with the stable’s supposed second string and also had an outsider which finished fourth so maybe we shouldn’t be putting a line through any of his four runners this year. Kool Kompany (a general 25/1), won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on his reappearance but had the run of the race and was beaten twice in Group 1 races last year.

It’s no surprise that stable jockey Richard Hughes is sticking with Ivawood (a general 12/1), even though he finished more than four lengths behind stablemate Estidhkaar (8/1 with Betfred and sportingbet) in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury. Hughes insists that stamina wasn’t the issue that day but most experts have doubts about Ivawood last home over another furlong.

Paul Hanagan rides Estidhkaar in preference to impressive Newbury maiden winner Intilaaq (10/1in most places) but Roger Varian‘s colt shouldn’t be underestimated and looks capable of winning at a high level this season, though this may be a case of too much too soon.

It would be no surprise to see European Free Handicap winner Home Of The Brave give supporters a run for their money at the general 33/1 while Freddy Head‘s Maisons-Laffitte winner Ride Like The Wind looks too big at 40/1with Boylesports and sportingbet, though most people agree that Territories is the best of the cross-Channel raiders. Andre Fabre‘s colt is a general 6/1 but Gleneagles appeared to beat him fair and square in the Grand Criterium in October, despite what the Longchamp stewards decided.

Aidan O’Brien has trained the winner of the Qipco 2000 Guineas on six occasions and Gleneagles (3/1with Betfred), not including that Longchamp debacle, was unbeaten following his debut last year. Ryan Moore takes over the reins and his mount is sure to start favourite – but why has the trainer’s son chosen to ride OL’ MAN RIVER?

William Hill 2000 Guineas Odds Today

Joseph works the Ballydoyle horses on a daily basis and has obviously liked what he’s seen regarding the son of Montjeu, who is the first foal of English and Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Finsceal Beo so could hardly have a better pedigree. At 7/1with Skybet Ol’ Man River, who won a Group 2 over a mile in his final start last year in a hack canter, is more than twice the odds of his stablemate and has the greater scope for improvement so has to be the value bet.