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2000 Guineas 2026 Tips - Two contenders to back in Newmarket Classic

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Thu 30 Apr 2026 14:03

Jon Vine 30 Apr 2026

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 2000 Guineas
This Classic takes place at Newmarket on May 2nd
Distant Storm and Padraig Dawn feature in our selections

Expired

The 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. (Getty)

2000 Guineas Guide

2026 2000 Guineas Odds
2026 2000 Guineas Tip 1 - Distant Storm
2026 2000 Guineas Draw
2026 2000 Guineas Tip 2 - Padraig Dawn
Live Stream
2000 Guineas FAQs

Saturday's card at Newmarket is headlined by the first Classic of the year, the 2000 Guineas. 15 colts have been confirmed for this year's renewal, with the winner guaranteed a place in the history books.

Here's our free guide to the 2026 2000 Guineas, featuring the latest odds, the full draw and our best betting tips.

2026 2000 Guineas Odds

Name	Odds
Bow Echo	3/1
Distant Storm	9/2
Gstaad	9/2
King's Trail	8/1
Oxagon	11/1
Avicenna	14/1
Bar	16/1

Odds taken on 30/4/2026

2026 2000 Guineas Tip 1 - Distant Storm

I pinned my colours to DISTANT STORM (9/2) at 16/1 when my ante-post guide went live, and I'm not going to desert William Buick's mount - despite a potentially tricky draw in stall two.

Charlie Appleby's colt was last seen finishing third behind the ill-fated Gewan in the Dewhurst Stakes. Distant Storm was held up and still sat last going into the dip. While he did pick up well once he hit the rising ground, William Buick's mount had far too much ground to make up, and crossed the line two lengths adrift of Andrew Balding's front-runner.

Hold-up tactics had worked a treat when Distant Storm bolted up in the Tattersalls Stakes. Appleby's colt had been far too fresh when he finished third behind Gewan in the Acomb Stakes, but settled well before powering to victory in September, and again settled nicely in the Dewhurst.

Night Of Thunder is an excellent sire and has spawned plenty of Classic winners. Distant Storm's dam has produced plenty of strong milers, all of which have seemed to improve with age. Despite a surprisingly poor winter in Dubai by his standard, Appleby has been the man to follow in recent renewals of the 2000 Guineas, and Distant Storm looks to have all the credentials needed to land this Classic.

undefined — William Buick riding Distant Storm (blue cap) win The Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket. (Getty)

2026 2000 Guineas Draw

Stall	Name
1	Needle Match
2	Distant Storm
3	Into The Sky
4	Alparslan
5	Thesecretadversary
6	Billecart
7	Gstaad
8	Avicenna
9	Power Blue
10	Oxagon
11	Venetian Prince
12	Padraig Dawn
13	King's Trail
14	Lord Britain
15	Bow Echo

2026 2000 Guineas Tip 2 - Padraig Dawn

As I mentioned above, stall two might be an issue for Distant Storm. I'd much rather have a high draw than a low one, especially on the Rowley Mile. However, Into The Sky and Alparslan are two of the most likely front-runners, and they've been drawn in stalls three and four, so they should give Distant Storm the ideal target to aim at.

Oxagon is the other likely pacemaker, having made all in the Craven Stakes last month. He's been drawn up in stall ten, which should suit King's Trail and Bow Echo, who've been drawn in stalls 13 and 15 respectively.

An interesting contender on the high side of the track is PADRAIG DAWN (66/1). Like 2024 Guineas winner Notable Speech, Charlie Pike's contender will make his turf debut in this Classic, following two runs on the all-weather during the winter.

Padraig Dawn made a winning debut at Southwell in February, but was still sent off at 18/1 for the Burradon Stakes. Eddie Greatrex's mount travelled nicely throughout that Listed race, and angled out for a crack at Timeforshowcasing, but the leader held on to claim a narrow victory.

Despite his lowly connections and a £30k price tag, Padraig Dawn is really nicely bred. Pike's colt is by a former Derby winner in Saxon Warrior, and his dam was a Grade One-winning juvenile for Irish trainer Kevin Prendergast.

It's a complete unknown whether Padraig Dawn will handle the Rowley Mile. Yet, the small amount of evidence that we have suggests that Pike's got a precocious three-year-old on his hands, and Padraig Dawn could be worth chancing at a lengthy price.

Live Stream

Visit our 2000 Guineas Live Stream page if you want to watch this Classic via a mobile or tablet.

2000 Guineas FAQs

When is the 2026 2000 Guineas?

The 2026 2000 Guineas will be run at Newmarket racecourse on Saturday, May 2nd. The race is due to start at 3:35pm.

What is the 2000 Guineas?

The 2000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race run over one mile at Newmarket, open to three-year-old colts. It was first run in 1809 and is the opening Classic of the British flat racing season.

Who won the 2000 Guineas?

Charlie Appleby claimed his third 2000 Guineas victory in 2025, as Ruling Court got the better of Field Of Gold and stablemate Shadow Of Light.

Who will win the 2026 2000 Guineas?

Bow Echo heads the betting, with the talented Distant Storm snapping at his heels. Plenty of outsiders are worth a mention in this Classic too, including Padraig Dawn for Charlie Pike.

How can I watch the 2000 Guineas 2026?

The race will be broadcast live on UK racing channels such as ITV Racing and Racing TV, with online streaming options also available via licensed betting platforms. Visit our website for more live streaming information.

Verdict

2026 2000 Guineas

Distant Storm was our ante-post selection at 16/1, and he's our main selection in the 2026 2000 Guineas.

We've also backed an outsider, Padraig Dawn at 66/1.

Distant Storm

2026 2000 Guineas Tip 1

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Padraig Dawn

2026 2000 Guineas Tip 2

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