2 minutes Owen Burrows is backing Alyanaabi for a Guineas win following successful 2-year campaign.
Alyanaabi is fully prepared for his 2000 Guineas challenge after a satisfactory racecourse gallop at Newmarket, according to trainer Owen Burrows.
The Too Darn Hot colt claimed victory in his initial race at Salisbury last June and then placed fourth among ten contenders in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot.
During that event, he was outpaced by Richard Hannon's subsequent Group One winner, Rosallion. After securing a win at the Tattersalls Stakes in Newmarket, Alyanaabi faced one of the most highly-touted horses, City Of Troy, at the Dewhurst Stakes—a key trial for early Classics.
Though City Of Troy maintained his formidable reputation, Alyanaabi was commendable, finishing second.
Aidan O’Brien's City of Troy is currently the top contender for the Guineas, having had a standout season as a two-year-old, with Alyanaabi setting his sights on the same event after a promising gallop at the Craven meeting. Many horse racing betting tips for the Guineas are focused on City of Troy at present.
“He [ Alyanaabi] came out of that fine, he did a bit of work on Saturday as the ground was beautiful at home last weekend,” said Burrows.
“We’re getting a drop of rain again but nothing too measurable and I think he appreciated the nice ground on Saturday.
“He’s in good form and, touch wood, it’s all systems go now.”Whilst the Shadwell owned and bred Alyanaabi will hold out for the Guineas, other contenders have contested a trial beforehand and added more context to his juvenile form.
One such horse is Haatem. He came fifth in the Dewhurst before winning the Craven Stakes at Newmarket just a week ago
Reflecting on the trials, Burrows said:
“Richard Hannon’s horse won well at Newmarket, he was behind us in the Dewhurst but it’s a new year.
“I shouldn’t think Aidan has lost too much sleep, we’ve all got City Of Troy to beat if he turns up in the same form he was in as a two-year-old.
“We’ve all got to take him on, but you can’t run from one horse.”