Impressive Haafhd lands 2000 Guineas

Haafhd gave trainer Barry Hills and his jockey-son Richard a convincing victory in the UltimateBet

Haafhd gave trainer Barry Hills and his jockey-son Richard a convincing victory in the UltimateBet.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket today.

Haafhd hit the front two furlongs out and the 11-2 shot galloped on strongly to beat Snow Ridge (8-1) by a length and three-quarters, with Ireland's Azamour (25-1) a further length away in third.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained One Cool Cat, sent off the 15-8 favourite, finished tailed off.

The race was run at a furious gallop, with One Cool Cat's pacemaker Tumblebrutus leading from Golden Sahara and Barbajuan, with Whipper fourth.

Supporters of the Aidan O'Brien-trained One Cool Cat knew their fate some way out as Jamie Spencer's mount failed to make any progress from the rear of the field.

READ MORE

Craven Stakes scorer Haafhd made smooth progress to take the lead and settle the issue with a blistering turn of foot.

It was Richard Hills' first success in the 2000, but the second for his father, who saddled Tap On Wood to win 25 years ago.

"He's a very good horse. They went so quick, and he wanted to go after them. I didn't really want him to do too much early, but it's his style," the winning jockey said.

"Once he lengthened they would have had to be good to come and get him."

Hills senior said: "He is a genuine good horse. Riding him like that was always the plan. I couldn't understand why they spread out like that, all over the place, but it didn't affect us.

"He has got a very laid-back attitude, which makes him easy to train and to ride, and that was important today. Where he goes next will be up to Sheikh Hamdan, who knows this family very well and takes a keen interest in all the big decisions.

"If we did stick at a mile, something like the St James's Palace would be an obvious race."

Frankie Dettori, rider of Snow Ridge, was delighted with his horse.

He said: "It was a great effort. He ran a super race - the other horse was better than me over a mile.  We'll go to Epsom for the Derby now. We've always said he would stay."

William Hill make Snow Ridge 6-1 (from 11-1) for the Derby, while third home Azamour was cut to 14-1 from 25-1.