RacingBetter News
	Friday 30th October 2020

Early Contenders for Next Year’s British Classics

We are just over six months away from the next British Classics on the flat calendar. However, a number of two-year-olds have already emerged as strong contenders for those races in 2021.

Here is a look at three horses who will definitely be in contention for those big contents next year.

Pretty Gorgeous

Based on her performance in the Fillies’ Mile where she beat a strong field at Newmarket, Pretty Gorgeous may be the one to beat next season in the 1000 Guineas.

Joseph O’Brien’s filly finished that race strongly, and given the Classic is over the same course and distance next May, it is no surprise she is the 6/1 favourite for the race.

The horse racing results this season show how consistent the daughter of Lawman has been. She has not been outside of the first two in all five of her races, with victory also coming in the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.

O’Brien has had a lot of success in the early stages of his training career and Pretty Gorgeous could help him win some more major races in 2021, starting with the Classic for fillies at Newmarket.

High Definition

High Definition is the latest colt by Galileo who looks to have a big future on the track. Aidan O’Brien’s runner has featured just twice so far and has won both of those occasions.

The Irish horse’s last win came in the Group Two Beresford Stakes, where he came home strongly to prevail by just under a length. This race has often been the target for many of O’Brien’s best horses, some of whom have gone on to prevail in Classics, including St Nicholas Abbey and Capri.

High Definition is the ante-post favourite at 8/1 for the 2021 Derby. He could appear in the 2000 Guineas a month earlier, but given his pedigree, the race at Epsom looks his best chance of Classic success.

O’Brien has won six of the last nine runnings of the Derby so he knows exactly what type of horse is required to come out on top on the Downs at the Surrey racecourse.

St Mark’s Basilica

The Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket is normally a good indication about who has strong Classic credentials and this year’s Group One contest was won by St Mark’s Basilica.

O’Brien’s colt went into the race at 10/1 in the betting. He got the better of his stablemate Wembley by just under a length. Those two could once again be battling it out at this same course for the 2000 Guineas.

It took St Mark’s Basilica three starts for him to break his maiden. The colt has improved considerably since his debut at the Curragh back in July. He is now 10/1 in the betting for the Classic over 1m where he should be seen as a major player.

There is a lot to look forward to in the 2021 flat season as the upcoming class of three-year-olds looks very strong. They could also have a lot of success in open age company too.