Runners & Riders – Powering Up Pinatubo

‘The Steeple Times’ joins in sharing the delight about the return of racing and looks forward to Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas; Pinatubo is the ‘obvious option’ but we also rather like Mums Tipple

Lauded as the “wonder horse who can bring some joy back to a nation starved of sport” by the Daily Mail’s Marcus Townend, “pugnacious colt” Pinatubo is the Godolphin horse that will likely delight at the “first major sporting event in Britain” in months, the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday at Newmarket. Ridden by William Buick and the 10/11 favourite, here is a horse that is “hard to oppose” on the Rowley Mile.

Sadly but sensibly being held “behind closed doors,” the race – which ITV’s anchor Ed Chamberlain suggests “will have a larger audience than any recent 2,000 Guineas with people desperate for sport” – the “second best in the field” according to the Mirror is the Oisin Murphy – Andrew Balding combo Kameko at 7/1. Of this Qatar Racing owned beauty, Sporting Life’s Simon Holt remarks: “A formidable rival… Should see this out strongly with the promise that he may stay a mile and a quarter.”

Taking a bit more of a punt, we at The Steeple Times, however, would also suggest (excuse the pun) raising a glass to an each way on the Sean Levey and Richard Hannon’s Mums Tipple at 33/1. A “runaway winner” at York’s Ebor meeting where he “literally took everybody’s breath away,” the Mirror go as far as suggesting this outsider as having “plenty of pace.”

Happy racing.

Trainer Charlie Appleby on his much fancied horse, Pinatubo:

Speaking to the Daily Mail:

“Pinatubo’s main asset is that he is the ultimate professional. Any sportsman at the top, you generally do not see them fretting going into a champion competition whatever it is, boxing or golf.”

“Those cool, calm customers are the ones that often turn up with their ‘A’ game and channel their positivity into the swing of the club or the punch of the glove.”

“Pinatubo has a great mind. He turns up and knows that, once those starting gates open, it is game on. He is not a horse who lights you up in the mornings.”

“We went to Wolverhampton [for his debut last year] for that reason. If we thought he was going to be the horse he has turned out to be, we would probably have turned up in a Newmarket maiden.”

“He is a well-balanced colt. He showed his true attributes last season, taking in some of the most challenging tracks in Britain at Epsom, Goodwood and Newmarket – and he has strengthened over the winter. He has met every challenge we have set him so far.”

Speaking to the Guardian:

“I’m delighted with what Pinatubo has done through the winter. He does what he needs to at home, but most importantly he looks great and physically he has done well and I can’t be any happier with him going into the weekend.”

“We are all trying our best to have hopefully a superstar like he was last year going into his three-year-old career. The sport needs him at this time, and what a time for a potential superstar to turn up.”

Speaking to the Evening Standard:

“One of his key attributes is he’s very laid back, nothing fazes him… I don’t want to sound too confident, but he’s pleasing us. He looks great.”

3.35pm – Newmarket, Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1)

Runners – 15; Prize Money – £250,000

Pictured top: Pinatubo, the horse that has attracted most of the pre-race focus.

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