With Punchestown Festival in full flow over in Ireland, this weekend brings the first Classics of the UK Flat Season, with Newmarket hosting the Guineas classics on Saturday and Sunday.

The 2000 Guineas has favourite Kingman who won his seasonal reappearance at Newbury by 4 ½ lengths in the Greenham Stakes. Connections have stated that they would like rain as they do not want the ground to be too fast, but with rain expected over the next 48 hours, it should benefit the John Gosden-trained colt, though the current going is Good to Firm.

The main rival is Australia, trained by Aidan O’Brien and partnered by his son Joseph, who has been the long-term favourite for the Epsom Derby, but is yet to re-appear this season.

Others in with a chance are Richard Hannon’s Toormore, O’Brien’s War Command (partnered by current leading jockey Ryan Moore), Roger Varian’s Kingston Hill, and Spanish horse Noozhoh Canarias.

The 1000 Guineas has had an eventful ante-post market. Michael Hills’s horse Chryselliam was the early favourite for the crown, but sadly lost he life after failing to recover from a foot infection in February.

Rizeena has been the favourite since that point, but with the late withdrawal of Ms Titania, Miss France and Lucky Kristale are the next 2 in the market. Godolphin are represented by Ihtimal and Aidan O’Brien has the next 2 in the market with Tapestry and previous Oaks favourite, Bracelet.

This week also sees the Scoop6 Jackpot reach an unprecedented combined £5m, having not been won for the past few weeks.

The 6 races, along with a selection for each are listed below:

Leg 1 - Newmarket 2.05 – Bold Sniper

Leg 2 - Newmarket 2.40 – Sole Power

Leg 3 - Thirsk 3.00 – Music In The Rain

Leg 4 - Goodwood 3.30 – Long Awaited

Leg 5 - Thirsk 3.40 – Norse Blues

Leg 6 - Newmarket 3.50 – War Command

2000 Guineas Selection: War Command e/w

1000 Guineas Selection: Lucky Kristale e/w

Other Tips: Punchestown 4.20 – Abbyssial Newmarket 3.10 – Gospel Choir Goodwood 4.05 – Princess LouLou