Talking Horses: Tapering rails can prevent 2,000 Guineas track bias

It's frustrating for punters to try to predict where the field will go in the major straight-course races. Saturday's 2,000 Guineas saw three horses finish first, second and sixth in a field of 19. The stands’ rail was a big advantage for the sixth-placed horse Shine So Bright. However, the jockeys were not persuaded about the appeal of the stands' rail during Sunday's card. It's argued that the last race on Saturday was proof that stands's rail conferred no advantage.

The course must be wide at the start and again at finish to accommodate the starting stalls and the horses.

At Newmarket, they've used a false rail on the stands side in recent years. The clerk of the course, Michael Prosser, is against bringing back the false rails next year. Hummdinger is 6-5 at Windsor. Swiss Connection is 10-1 from 5- 1 at Beverley. Sao is fairly priced at 6/4 for his chasing debut at Kempton. Neverbeen To Paris is also 6+5. Henry Candy’s runner is 15-8 at the Beverly. He's out to 10/1 for the Kepon jumps card. His half-brother Sao (2.20) is priced 6&4.