British Spot Plays: Guineas trials at Newbury April 12

The 2025 British flat season shifts into a stronger gear beginning Saturday, when Newbury hosts the John Porter (G3) for older horses and a pair of trials for the upcoming 2000 Guineas (G1) and 1000 Guineas (G1).

The John Porter has attracted an interesting field, headed by the dual classic-placed Sunway and Ancient Wisdom, both Group 1 winners as two-year-olds. Also in the mix is Bellum Justum, who American fans might recall shipping to the U.S. last summer and winning the Nashville Derby (G3) at Kentucky Downs.

My betting focus, however, will be on the two Guineas trials, specifically on a pair of second-time starters who seemingly have the potential to make inroads against rivals with more obvious stakes credentials.

I'll again do a running bankroll of selected plays during the British racing season in this space. The starting amount is $500, and I will wager a flat 5% of the outstanding balance on all wins plays. Thus, the opening play in Saturday's Fred Darling (G3) will be $25.

Race 2: Fred Darling (G3), 9 a.m. ET

At the tail end of the flat season last fall, #2 Bright Times Ahead (12-1) turned in an eye-catching debut at Newmarket over this same seven-furlong distance. Always well-positioned, she assumed the lead inside the final quarter mile and kicked clear late while not under any serious pressure nor displaying any significant greenness.

A Lope de Vega half-sister to Group 3 winner See the Rose and stakes winner Xaarino, Bright Times Ahead might live up to her moniker at a price. Also worth noting is that trainer Ralph Beckett has won five of the past 19 renewals of the Fred Darling.

Race 3: Greenham (G3), 9:35 a.m. ET

Another fresh face in stakes company is #9 Saracen (12-1), who got off the mark in late October with a professional-looking, four-length win versus maiden company over The Curragh's demanding six furlongs.

Al Shaqab Racing splurged more than $500,000 for the son of Siyouni as a yearling, and they and trainer Joseph O'Brien have enticed jockey Christophe Soumillon over from France to handle the promising colt.