O’Brien happy with his Guineas squad

JUPITER Pluvius, Aidan O’Brien’s leading candidate for the Stan James 2000 Guineas, pleased the Ballydoyle handler when working yesterday morning.

O’Brien was speaking by telephone to guests, including Lester Piggott, Sir Michael Stoute, Henry Cecil and Joe Mercer, at a Newmarket racecourse lunch to celebrate next month’s 200th running of the 2000 and 1000 Guineas.

Jupiter Pluvius, a son of Johannesburg, won both of his starts as a juvenile, including the Killavullan Stakes, and is a 10-1 chance with the sponsors.