19 Abr. GB. Bathwick Tyres Greenham S. G3. Newbury. 7f. Turf. 47.000 £
1.- PACO BOY (R.Hughes)
2.- BOBS SURPRISE (M.Hills)
3.- RED ALERT DAY (L.Dettori)


WHO'D have thought it? Only three of the eight runners in the Bathwick Tyressponsored Greenham Stakes were without a 2,000 Guineas entry, and they finished first, second and third.

Nowadays, there is a supplementary entry stage, but a late entry for the Classic will cost Paco Boy's connections £30,000, more than they won here.
That may prove too much of a deterrent with a colt trainer Richard Hannon had described as "a pure speedball" when he burst through from last to first in Lingfield's Spring Cup last month.

So far as punters are concerned, perhaps the 25-1 offered by the Guineas sponsor Stan James might be the safest option, if it lasts, especially if punters can secure 'non-runner, no bet' terms which will be available from tomorrow.
There was encouragement for Newmarket's extra furlong from jockey Richard Hughes after Paco Boy mastered outsider Bobs Surprise well inside the final furlong to score by three-quarters of a length.

However, Derek Lucie-Smith, spokesman for the Calvera Partnership which owns the colt, sounded a note of caution.

He said: "We'll go upstairs now and count the pennies. We'd love to run in the Guineas as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, but we might just think instead of the Jersey Stakes. Ring me on Monday."

Hannon, who credited agent Ross Doyle with picking up Paco Boy for 30,000gns at Doncaster's breeze-up sale last year, is open-minded about Paco Boy as a Guineas prospect, but knows exactly where he is going in the immediate future.
He said: "He's obviously a good horse and I'll put him in my millionaires' row as soon as I get home."

Hannon, whose recent Greenham winners Redback and Major Cadeaux finished third and sixth in the Guineas, added: "Hughesy says he'll stay and that he hated the ground here. He's really never done anything wrong, and they've got the money to supplement him now.

"He does nothing at home, but he's improved with every run and at Lingfield he was last off the bend, yet won by a length and three-quarters, going away."
If Paco Boy sidesteps Newmarket, he might meet the runner-up again at Royal Ascot.
Barry Hills, trainer of Bobs Surprise, said: "He has run a good, solid race and just got touched off. He'll be better on better ground. I don't know where he'll go, but maybe something like the Jersey. He lost his way a bit last year. He's not been easy to handle, but has grown up mentally."

Favourite Confront, who beat Free Handicap winner Stimulation at Ascot last year and was as short as 12-1 for the Guineas, was beaten more than eight lengths into fifth, with no obvious excuse.

This disappointment arguably increases the likelihood of Craven winner Twice Over returning to Newmarket, because they are both owned by Khalid Abdullah.