Checkandchallenge 'the best-value outsider' in 2,000 Guineas, says John Gosden

Owner Andrew Hetherton is optimistic the unbeaten Checkandchallenge can make his presence felt in Saturday’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas and has received the backing of former champion trainer John Gosden.

Trained by William Knight, Checkandchallenge is a general 25-1 for the Guineas after landing both of his starts, a 7f maiden on the all-weather at Wolverhampton and the Listed Burradon Stakes over a 1m at Newcastle on All-Weather Championships Finals Day.

The three-year-old was picked out as a value alternative to favourite Native Trail for the 2,000 Guineas by Gosden.

“I think there’s one horse in there that’s an outsider, Checkandchallenge, who was very impressive [when winning at Newcastle],” Gosden said. “He may be a bit green and has only had two runs in his life, but he would be the best-value outsider.”

Watch Checkandchallenge's comfortable win at Newcastle

Buoyed by Gosden’s comments, Hetherton, 49, a chartered surveyor who lives in Southampton, said he was approaching the first Classic of the season with a positive view that Checkandchallenge could upset his better-fancied rivals and land the contest.

“I chatted with William this week and we’re really looking forward to Saturday,” he said. “I think you’ve got to go into the race with the approach that you can win it.

“For me, it’s an opportunity not to miss and it’s always been in our minds that we could come here since he won at Wolverhampton. I was in Newcastle to see him win and he was very impressive that day, and William has always spoken really highly of the horse.”

John Gosden: rates Checkandchallenge 'the best-value outsider'Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Hetherton’s family has a longstanding relationship with racing, his great-grandfather John Hetherton being one of the founding members of the Racehorse Owners Association, although Hetherton himself started off in a syndicate before taking the plunge as a sole owner.

“I got my first involvement when I was a member at Goodwood and was in a horse called Goodwood Mirage with William,” he said. “I had the opportunity following the sale of a business to purchase a horse and it’s gone from there.

“Everything Checkandchallenge has done is down to William, the staff and to William’s brother Richard, who found the horse at the sales. Going for this race is a challenge you take on with some trepidation but I’ve got great confidence in William and his staff.”

He added: “I know William is looking for other options beyond Newmarket for the rest of the year and I’d love to have a runner at Royal Ascot and then maybe at Goodwood, which I think of as my ‘home’ course, or York where I’m originally from.”

Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket Saturday)

bet365: 10-11 Native Trail, 4 Coroebus, 9-2 Luxembourg, 11 Perfect Power, 14 Point Lonsdale, 16 Dubawi Legend, 22 Eydon, 25 bar

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