Teofilo tops Guineas possibles

Teofilo, unbeaten in five starts and officially rated the best two-year-old in Europe last season, tops 86 entries for the Stan James 2000 Guineas.

The Jim Bolger-trained colt scored two victories at the highest level last term, claiming the Dewhurst Stakes and National Stakes, and he is the 6-4 favourite with the sponsors for the May 5 contest.

Holy Roman Emperor finished second in a thrilling battle in the Dewhurst but he will not renew rivalry after being retired to stud.

Despite his absence, trainer Aidan O’Brien still has 17 possibles including Royal Lodge Stakes victor Admiralofthefleet, Eagle Mountain and Mount Nelson, winner of the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.

Dijeerr and Mythical Kid, who were first and second in the Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury last year, feature among an eight-strong entry from Godolphin.

Sir Michael Stoute could send Adagio, Al Shemali and Al Tharib as he seeks a sixth win in the race while Peter Chapple-Hyam has entered four horses, headed by general second favourite Dutch Art.

The Paul Cole-trained Strategic Prince is another eyecatching entry along with Drayton, who was a dual Listed winner in Ireland last year for Tommy Stack but is now with South African trainer Mike de Kock.

There is a supplementary stage for the first Classic of the season on April 30 when extra entries may be made at a cost of £25,000.

Stan James 2000 Guineas, sponsors bet: 6-4 Teofilo, 7-1 Dutch Art, 12-1 Mount Nelson, Strategic Prince, 16-1 Adagio, Eagle Mountain, Haatef, 20-1 Authorized, Duke Of Marmalade, 25-1 bar.