Stimulation Pleases Morrison Ahead of the 2000 Guineas
23/04/08

Stimulation is one of 30 horses going forward after yesterday’s forfeit stage for what promises to be a fantastic renewal of the £375,000 stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, May 3, and trainer Hughie Morrison believes there is more to come from the Choisir colt.

Stimulation, a 25/1 chance for the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas with the sponsor Stan James, clinched a thrilling victory in the final stride of the European Free Handicap over seven furlongs of The NatWest Rowley Mile at Newmarket last week, arriving late to defeat Fat Boy by a nose.

Morrison revealed this morning: "I was delighted with his win in the European Free Handicap and he will find some improvement for that run. He seems to have come out of the race really well and I’m very happy with him. It looks as if he has done himself rather well in the last week.

"We are realistic and, while I wouldn’t say that he needs to make a quantum leap, he does need to make a big step upwards on the form book, but plenty of horses have not run up to form as they should have done. Of those who have not run, it could be that they are as good as last year, but there is no guaranteeing it."

Morrison believes that his charge will handle the step up to a mile, despite being by a champion sprinter in Choisir. However, the Australian speedster also had form over a mile, finishing third of 16 in the Group One Caulfield Guineas as a three-year-old.

The East Ilsley handler continued: "Stimulation is very laid-back so I would think that he will get the mile. He is by Choisir but perhaps Choisir could have been a top miler. I remember he went very fast over sprint distances and burnt them off, but if he was held up maybe he would have got the mile.

"I think fast ground is what he wants, so hopefully the rain stays off and Newmarket will hold off the watering.

"I am as relaxed as I can be ahead of the race. We are not going there with a hot favourite, we are going to have a go and do the best we can."

The Jim Bolger-trained champion two-year-old New Approach is on course for the 200th running of the 2000 Guineas and remains the market leader at 9/4 with the sponsor Stan James.

Other leading contenders for the first Classic of the season include the Group Three banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes first and second Twice Over and Raven’s Pass, while Sir Michael Stoute could run the Saeed Suhail-owned Perfect Stride.

Godolphin’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor has a quintet of entries going forward, comprising of Group One winners Ibn Khaldun and Rio De La Plata plus Fast Company, McCartney and Il Waard, while Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien could rely on a quartet that includes unbeaten Group Three winner Jupiter Pluvius and Henrythenavigator.

Entries can still be made for the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas at the supplementary entry stage which closes at noon on Monday at a cost of £30,000 - the deadline for the five-day confirmations too. Paco Boy, winner of four of his five starts, is a possible supplementary entry.

Latest betting with Stan James for the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas
9/4 New Approach, 9/2 Raven’s Pass, 5/1 Twice Over, 7/1 Ibn Khaldun, 10/1 Jupiter Pluvius, 16/1 Henrythenavigator, Fast Company, 20/1 Perfect Stride, Rio De La Plata, 25/1 Fireside, Stimulation, Paco Boy, 33/1 bar - each-way one quarter 1,2,3 - non-runner no bet.