JOHN GOSDEN has taken the rare step of tipping a rival trainer’s horse for 2000 Guineas glory.
The legendary Flat supremo believes William Knight has a live one on his hands in the form of 25-1 Checkandchallenge.
“He would be the best value for an outsider.”
John Gosden says it is "difficult to oppose" Native Trail in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas but nominates an outsider chalked up at 25-1 who he believes is worth a second look
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The three-year-old colt is unbeaten in two races, both victories coming over the all weather at Wolverhampton in November and Newcastle earlier this month.
Checkandchallenge has already shown an aptitude for winning at a price, with those triumphs coming at 11-1 and 15-2 respectively.
His most recent win, stepping up in grade and winning more than £60,000 for connections, showed good improvement from his debut.
And Gosden reckons he could fill the places behind big favourite Native Trail.
Speaking at a preview event for Saturday’s race, the former champion trainer said: “I think there’s one horse in there which is an outsider.
“Checkandchallenge is very impressive. He may be a little bit green – he’s only had two runs in his life – but he would be the best value outsider.”
Gosden does not have a runner in the first Classic of the season, run over a mile at Newmarket.
But he appeared in agreement with pretty much everyone else by saying Charlie Appleby’s Craven winner Native Trail looks unstoppable.
Gosden said: “The favourite is a fast, powerful horse, he’s dominated at two (years of age).
“You can always argue the Guineas in the last two-year-old race and he’s been dominant throughout.
“It’s difficult to oppose him in any way. You look at Luxembourg – is he going to be better going over further?”
Gosden’s comments on Luxembourg were echoed by Aidan O’Brien, the horse’s trainer.
He said it would be a ‘big ask’ for his star runner to see off the fav.
O’Brien said: “Obviously it is a big ask to start him off in the Guineas and he is looking like he will be a middle-distance horse, but we started similar horses like Camelot and Australia in the Guineas.
“We think and hope it is the right place to start. He seems in good form and we will learn a lot about him.”
