Huffer Flying High After Guineas

Geoff Huffer could well afford himself 'a few jars' in the wake of Cockney Rebel´s success in the Stan James 2000 Guineas.

The colourful trainer described the emphatic triumph as the 'ultimate' victory in his career.

Huffer, who is in his second stint with a licence, saddled the likes of 1988 St James´s Palace Stakes winner Persian Heights and Derby fourth Ile De Nisky in the past, but believes Cockney Rebel´s triumph is on a different scale.

'It is unbelievable for a small yard. I have won some big races in the past, but to win a Classic is the ultimate,' he said.

'He only cost 30,000 guineas and this horse is going to be a legend.

'We are going to have a party next week to celebrate. 'We had a few jars, but it wasn´t a late night.'

Although Cockney Rebel, winner of two of his four starts, is entered in the Vodafone Derby, Huffer has set his sights on a repeat victory at Royal Ascot.

'He came out of the race unbelievably well. He ate up and was in fantastic form,' added Huffer.

'He only lost five kilos and you would not know that he has been in a race.

'He will go for the St James´s Palace Stakes now. We haven´t got anything to prove in the Guineas any more.

'I rate the English 2000 Guineas as the best and we´ve beaten them in that.'

Eoghan O´Neill is looking forward to a crack at the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on May 26 with runner-up Vital Equine, who made a valiant attempt to grab the race by the scruff of the neck from the front.

He said: 'We were delighted with him. We had worked hard all winter and we thought he would be in the shake-up.

'The plan is the Irish Guineas now. He would really prefer good ground rather than firm, but if it´s good to firm it should be OK.'

Ironically for O´Neill, Vital Equine had previously beaten Cockney Rebel by half a length in third when winning the Champagne Stakes at York last season.

Crowds on both days of the Guineas Festival were up on last year and Newmarket managing director Lisa Hancock said: 'It has lived up to all our expectations and the 32,000 racegoers who have been here have enjoyed a feast of top-class racing.'

(C) PA Sport