Andab bids to reproduce some notable two-year-old form as he takes on Classic aspirants in the mile Listed BetMGM Burradon Stakes (1.15pm) at Newcastle on Good Friday, April 3.
An impressive debut winner at the Curragh for Joseph O’Brien, the son of Saxon Warrior went on to acquit himself well in Group company, taking fourth in Royal Ascot’s G2 Coventry Stakes and second in a G3 at Deauville.
Having ended his juvenile season on a winning note in the Listed Star Appeal Stakes at Dundalk, Andab started his 2026 campaign with a closing head second in Qatar’s Al Rayyan Mile in February.
2,000 Guineas entry Billecart (pictured) has form at the course for Karl Burke, having taken a mile novice by five lengths on his comeback last month. The Night Of Thunder colt had finished fourth behind Distant Storm and Constitution River in a stacked maiden at Newmarket’s July Festival.
As well as a Billecart, owner Valmont is represented by Oliver Cole’s Jel Pepper, who was third behind Zavateri in the G2 July Stakes and ended his campaign with victory in a valuable sales race at Newmarket.
1,000 Guineas hope Timeforshowcasing signed off with success in the EBF 2YO Fillies’ Series Final at Goodwood, following two runs in G2 company for Charlie Johnston that included a fifth in Doncaster’s May Hill Stakes.
Alarming, the other filly in the lineup, was fourth behind Timeforshowcasing at Goodwood and has since finished third in a pair of Listed races at Saint-Cloud for Ralph Beckett.
Padraig Dawn completes the field for Charlie Pike. Another son of Saxon Warrior, he made a successful introduction in a seven-furlong novice at Southwell in February.
Burradon runners with major Classic entries
Billecart – 2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas, Poule d’Essai des Poulains
Timeforshowcasing – 1,000 Guineas, Irish 1,000 Guineas, Prix de Diane
The view from connections
Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Andab, said: “Andab put up a good performance in Qatar. He has prepared well since then, while he has already shown good form on the all-weather at Dundalk. We think he will be suited by the stiff mile at Newcastle. Hopefully, he can collect some nice prize money.”
Andrew Balding, trainer of New Monarch, said: “He ran to a decent level without winning last year, so it was nice to get him off the mark at Kempton the other day. We think he is ready for a step up to a mile and this should tell us more. He is a horse we like.”
Charlie Johnston, trainer of Timeforshowcasing, said: “She had a good two-year-old campaign, rounding it off nicely in the EBF race at Goodwood. She was not disgraced in the May Hill Stakes before that either, when she was probably still a little inexperienced against some classy fillies. She has wintered very well and, given she has some Guineas entries, Friday should tell us how realistic those ambitions are.”
All seven races on AWC Finals Day previewed below, with quotes on 61 contenders from 30 trainers. For background info, stats, and trainer & jockey records, check out the AWC Finals Day media guide
