Godolphin weigh up options as 19 stand ground for 2000 Guineas
Ibn Khaldun, Rio De La Plata and Fast Company were all among 19 left in the Classic at the five-day confirmation stage.
“They are all in good form, but there’s no decision yet about the three runners. We will decide soon, there’s plenty of time,” said trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.
Ante-post favourite New Approach heads a total of 19 horses to stand their ground. There were no surprises at the five-day confirmation stage with Jim Bolger’s unbeaten Dewhurst winner leading the Classic charge.
Dewhurst third Raven’s Pass is John Gosden’s leading light following his narrow second in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket earlier in the month.
Aidan O’Brien could also be four-handed with Henrythenavigator, Jupiter Pluvius, One Great Cat and Plan all still in the mile race.
The Godolphin trio are reported to be fit and well after spending the winter in Dubai and have only been back in Newmarket for a few days.
Racing Post Trophy winner Ibn Khaldun is the shortest of the three in the ante-post market behind New Approach, who had the former Brian Meehan-trained Fast Company and Rio De La Plata back in second and fourth places respectively when winning the Dewhurst Stakes.
“Fast Company worked today and we are happy with him,” Bin Suroor went on.
“Since he joined Godolphin in November he has never shown a lot in the morning. Ibn Khaldun and Rio De La Plata have shown a turn of foot and plenty of speed. We are happy with all three of them, they are sound and healthy and will have a blow-out later in the week.”
Connections of Fireside hope the colt can overcome his relative inexperience when he steps up to Group One company.
Peter Chapple-Hyam’s charge had just two runs as a two-year-old and was unable to have a prep run in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
“He’s in very good form. We were very disappointed we couldn’t run him in the Greenham at Newbury,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
“We know he’s a very good horse – whether he’s good enough we need to find out and it looks like being a hell of a Guineas. We are thrilled with this horse and he’s always shown an awful lot.”
The Michael Stoute-trained Perfect Stride was put through his paces ahead of a possible tilt at the colts’ classic.
“He worked this morning and I think Michael is pretty pleased with him,” said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail. “I can’t say he’s a definite runner yet, but obviously working this morning he’s heading in that direction, we think.”
French raider Natagora and impressive Nell Gwyn victor Infallible dominate the list of 18 fillies left in the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas.
The Pascal Bary-trained Natagora won the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last term and will be bidding to become the first French-trained winner of the mile race since the Criquette Head-trained Hatoof triumphed in 1992.
Infallible was a clear-cut winner of the Classic trial on her last outing and will be trying to emulate Lahan, who gave trainer John Gosden a 1000 Guineas victory in 2000.
John Dunlop’s Fred Darling winner Muthabara is still in the mix, while Lush Lashes and Saoirse Abu could represent Jim Bolger.
Halfway To Heaven, Kitty Matcham, Psalm and Savethisdanceforme stand their ground for Aidan O’Brien.
Other notable confirmations include the Mick Channon-trained pair of Nijoom Dubai and Nahoodh along with James Fanshawe’s Spacious.
Stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas betting:
Cashmans: 7/4 New Approach, 4-1 Ravens Pass, 6-1 Ibn Khaldun, 8-1 Jupiter Pluvius, 12-1 Fast Company, 16-1 Henryt'navigator, 18-1 Stimulation, 20-1 Perfect Stride, 22-1 Rio De La Plata, Fireside, 28-1 Plan.
Ladbrokes: 2-1 New Approach, 3-1 Raven’s Pass, 6-1 Ibn Khaldun, 10-1 Fast Company, Jupiter Pluvius, 12-1 Henrythenavigator, 16-1 Fireside, Stimulation, 20-1 Perfect Stride, Rio De La Plata, Plan, 40-1 bar.
