Sport

Abbey sets off as hot favourite

ST NICHOLAS Abbey could go off the shortest-priced favourite in over a decade for tomorrow’s 2,000 Guineas after 19 final declarations…

Wed Mar 24 2010 - 00:00

ST NICHOLAS Abbey could go off the shortest-priced favourite in over a decade for tomorrow’s 2,000 Guineas after 19 final declarations for the Newmarket Classic.

The Montjeu colt rounded off an unbeaten juvenile campaign with an awesome display in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, a performance which propelled him to the head of the betting for both the Guineas and next month’s Epsom Derby.

Last year’s wonder horse Sea The Stars took both Classics during a season that saw him lift six Group One prizes in as many months, and St Nicholas Abbey has already been billed as the heir apparent to the throne.

It would seem almost impossible that two such horses could grace the turf in as many seasons, but Coral’s David Stevens rightly points out it has been done before.

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“St Nicholas Abbey was well supported following his Racing Post Trophy win, and then attracted further support following the trials,” said Stevens.

“The first thought is that the sport would be lucky to have another horse capable of winning the Guineas/Derby double so soon after Sea The Stars, but in the 1970s Brigadier Gerard and Mill Reef followed Nijinsky, so there is a precedent.

“As far as we’re concerned, the more superstars we see the better, and if St Nicholas Abbey heads to Epsom as hot favourite for the Derby having won the Guineas, then any decent bookie should be cheering him home.”

William Hill’s Kate Miller added: “St Nicholas Abbey has been exceptionally strong and continues to be well-backed, despite the 6 to 4 price.

“I think it probably is a lot to expect him to be the next Sea The Stars. The feeling I had when I saw his Arc win was that I would never see a horse that exciting in my lifetime.

“I don’t think lightning strikes twice does it? And certainly not that quickly.

“If St Nicholas Abbey does turn out to be another wonder horse, then we’ll welcome him with open arms.

“Anything that sells the sport is good in our opinion.”

O’Brien also saddles the well supported Fencing Master and Viscount Nelson, the mount of Kieren Fallon, as the trainer aims for a sixth 2000 Guineas success.