Nakheel may go straight for Guineas

Mark Johnston is toying with the idea of sending Nakheel straight for the Stan James 2000 Guineas without the benefit of a prep run.

The Sadler’s Wells colt has the first Classic of the season at Newmarket on May 6 as his early target but Johnston is unsure of immediate plans for his Listed winner

He aid: “Nakheel has wintered very well indeed. No final decision has been made on where he starts off yet, as I haven’t discussed the matter with Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go for the 2000 Guineas, and I’m preparing him with that race in mind.

“He looks fantastic at the moment and probably would not have a prep run before the Guineas.

“Getting horses fit for the Guineas has never been a problem for us – we won the 2000 with Mr Baileys and the 1000 with Attraction first time up, so it’s not an issue.

“The others were Group winners at two, so there is a case that he should maybe run in a Group race before the Guineas, rather than jumping straight into a Group One, but I don’t see where there’s a suitable race for him.

“He is bred for further than a mile, so there is an issue over the suitability of the trip, and he is in the Derby, but he does show us a lot of speed.

“The 2000 Guineas in itself is a great trial for the Derby, so there’s no reason why he can’t run at Newmarket with a view to running over further later on.”

Nakheel is 25-1 with the sponsors for the May race but Johnston also has three other possibles in Black Charmer, Atlantic Waves and Prince Of Light.

“Black Charmer was a bit of a bridesmaid last year, but he’s actually my highest rated three-year-old, having been very consistent in Group races last season, so he has to be considered,” he said.

“I’m delighted with his progress and he’ll probably go for a trial first.

“Atlantic Waves is also a possible for the Guineas – he would have to have a run beforehand and he is a more typical Sadler’s Wells than Nakheel, and probably more likely to require further.

“Prince Of Light is another who would go for a Guineas trial first before we make a decision on the big race.”