Toronado can leave Guineas rivals in a spin en route to Derby tilt

With the Qipco 2000 Guineas fast approaching, time is running out for punters to utilise ante post betting opportunities on the first flat classic of the season.

And it could be wise to move quickly, in order to capitalise on the 5/2 price currently attributed to Richard Hannon’s runner Toronado, second favourite for the race.

Richard Hughes will saddle the colt, as he has done for all his previous four starts, in which they have racked up a 100 per cent strike rate together.

His most impressive display undoubtedly came on his last appearance over course and distance also, which would appear to hugely enhance his chances of being first past the post at Newmarket again.

The three-year-old demonstrated a rapid turn of foot in that Craven Stakes outing, powering home within the final quarter-mile to finish a good four lengths clear of Dundonnell, a horse who himself has yet to finish outside the top three in five appearances.

And that showing prompted Hughes to proclaim that this son of former Derby victor High Chaparral could go on to have a serious crack at emulating his father’s achievement.

“He’s the real deal, fingers crossed. He’s bred to get the Derby trip, and I always felt that he was more of a Derby horse, but now that he’s got stronger, he’s got a bit more pace,” the Dubliner told the Racing Post.

Trainer Hannon was equally as excited by Toronado’s performance meanwhile, stating: “He’s a machine. He quickened and quickened again. There’s no doubt this horse will go a mile and a half, and he’s got the speed to go around places like Epsom.”

Such comments should not be taken lightly, considering they come from a man responsible for training more than a century of winners within each of the past 15 flat seasons.

And therefore, it may be wise to snap up the 6/1 odds regarding a Toronado success in the Investec Derby, with that price sure to shorten if he proves responsible for 1/1 favourite Dawn Approach’s first ever defeat in the upcoming Guineas.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.