Casamento go-ahead for Guineas

CASAMENTO has been confirmed a definite runner in Saturday’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

A statement posted on the Godolphin website said the Mahmood Al Zarooni trained colt will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, with rising star Mickael Barzalona aboard Saeed bin Suroor’s Saamidd.

Second to Pathfork in the National Stakes, Casamento won the Racing Post Trophy on his final start as a juvenile when trained by Michael Halford.

Saamidd finished last of six runners behind red-hot Guineas favourite Frankel in the Dewhurst, his only defeat in three outings.

Meanwhile last year‘s Derby and Arc winner Workforce has been installed as the 5-1 favourite by the sponsors for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on July 2.

A total of 72 entries were received for the Group One event over 10 furlongs, won last year by Twice Over, who could bid for back-to-back wins.

Both are owned by Khalid Abdullah and his brilliant filly Midday has also been given the option.

Aidan O‘Brien has a huge army engaged with Australian import So You Think – who could run at the Curragh on Monday – and last year‘s Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco looking the pick of the bunch. Richard Hannon has been keen to give Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin a race over 10 furlongs and they are both entered along with Ed Dunlop’s brilliant mare Snow Fairy.

“Although it’s early days, we would obviously be delighted to see Workforce line up in this summer’s Coral-Eclipse, with possible opponents including last year’s winner Twice Over, the dual-Oaks winner Snow Fairy, and the Aussie star So You Think,” said Coral’s David Stevens. “While his two big wins last year were over 12 furlongs, at this stage we regard Sir Michael Stoute’s charge as the one to beat over Sandown’s 10 furlongs.”

Coral-Eclipse – sponsors bet: 5-1 Workforce, 7-1 Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Twice Over, 8-1 Snow Fairy, So You Think, 10-1 Await The Dawn, 12-1 Midday, Pathfork, 14-1 Casamento, Dick Turpin, Planteur, Roderic O’Connor, Wigmore Hall, 16-1 Rewilding, Rio De La Plata, Seville, Stacelita, 20-1 Crystal Capella, Jan Vermeer, Misty For Me, Monetrosso, Recital, 25-1 bar