All eyes on Newmarket for Scorthy Champ

Joseph O’Brien is preparing his star juvenile Scorthy Champ for a tilt at Classic glory in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Mehmas colt won two of his three two-year-old starts, rounding off his campaign with a top-level victory over Henri Matisse in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh in September.

O’Brien resisted the temptation to run his charge again before the end of 2024 and is not planning to give him a prep run ahead of a planned trip to the Rowley Mile on the first Saturday in May.

“He’s getting on well and seems to have wintered well and we’ll probably start him off in the Guineas in Newmarket,” said the Owning Hill handler, who was pleased to see his father Aidan’s Henri Matisse end the year with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

“He looked a high-class two-year-old and the form of all of his races has worked out extremely well, so we’re excited about him this year.”

Scorthy Champ is a best-priced 16-1 for the 2000 Guineas with bet365, who make Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter their 5-1 favourite.

Charlie Appleby has a strong hand, with Dewhurst hero Shadow Of Light (8-1), the exciting dual Kempton winner Opera Ballo (10-1), runaway Meydan scorer Ruling Court (10-1) and Ancient Truth (12-1) all prominent in the betting.