O'Brien happy with Guineas squad

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

O’Brien was speaking by telephone to guests, including Lester Piggott, 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.

He could also be joined in the Classic by stablemates Henrythenavigator, Plan and the unraced Zulu Chief.

O’Brien said: “Jupiter Pluvius is on target for the race. He worked this morning and went well.

“Henrythenavigator is in good form and good, fast ground is very important to him.

“Plan is also on target and Zulu Chief might go to a maiden at Newmarket next week.

“Last year’s two-year-olds were not good enough and we are not sure of the reason why.

“We had a bit of a lull mid-season so we backed off with them rather than forcing on.

“We ended up with two to three months at the end of the season to go on again, and we don’t know if the horses weren’t right or if they weren’t good enough.

“It will be interesting to see what happens. They are coming along nicely but we haven’t pressed any buttons yet.

“Listen won’t make the 1000 Guineas after a setback, but Savethisdanceforme is on course.

“Kitty Matcham, who won the Rockfel last season, is also on target.

“Psalm ran in a Guineas trial at Leopardstown last weekend, and all of the fillies are in the melting pot.”

Ahead of Jupiter Pluvius in the ante-post market is Godolphin’s Ibn Khaldun, who is 7-1 third favourite with Stan James having rounded off last season with victory in the Racing Post Trophy.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: “All of the horses are training well and we are looking forward to coming back at the end of April.

“Ibn Khaldun has been so impressive in his work. His races last year were very good and he has pleased us.

“Rio De La Plata has looked nicer in his fast work but Fast Company hasn’t shown us anything.

“We aren’t too bothered about that, though, as we know he is a good horse - but he wouldn’t want the ground too firm.

“We will have a maximum of three runners but two runners is much more likely.”

Henry Cecil, a dual-winning trainer of the 2000 Guineas, could be represented in this year’s renewal by Zetland Stakes winner Twice Over and Kandahar Run.

Cecil said: “They both need to prove themselves but we have brought them along steadily. Both are stronger and better this year.

“Twice Over looks to have a certain amount of speed and I would be surprised if he is not OK over a mile.

“Kandahar Run doesn’t do much at home but he will hopefully come out and tell us what his next move will be.

“He could go for the Fielden Stakes and Twice Over for the Craven but no decision has been made yet.”

Sir Michael Stoute is another who knows what it takes to win the 2000 Guineas with five victories under his belt.

Confront, a 16-1 shot, is his leading contender this time around.

He also houses a full brother to his 2001 winner Golan in the shape of Tartan Bearer, while Princess Margaret Stakes winner Visit heads his challenge for the 1000 Guineas.

Stoute said: “Confront is a possible for the 2000 and I hope to give him a run at Newmarket or Newbury next week.

“Tartan Bearer is behind schedule and we haven’t done a good piece of work with him yet. He got held up with a foot problem but he is a talented horse.

“Of the fillies, Visit is probably the only runner and she will go straight for the race.

“I thought she should have won her first three starts last year, and she ran flat in the Cheveley Park, which can happen.”

Mick Channon will be double-handed in the fillies’ race but is facing a race against time to get Nijoom Dubai and Nahoodh ready for a prep outing.

He said: “Both fillies have done well over a difficult winter. They will be OK for the Guineas but it will be the trials that will be the problem.

“Nijoom Dubai is more forward and she will probably go for the Nell Gwyn.

“We will look at the Fred Darling with Nahoodh, and we’ll leave her in the race, but she will probably go straight to Newmarket.”