Charlie Appleby has won two of the last three runnings and William Buick's mount Ruling Court is a very tempting option following his impressive Listed win at Meydan in March. However, today's opponents will provide a much sterner test of his credentials whereas FIELD OF GOLD (nap) readily accounted for some classy yardsticks when winning the Craven over C&D last month by three and a half lengths. He could be a superstar in the making and is taken to provide the Gosden stable with a first win in the 2,000 Guineas. The unexposed Expanded, the sole contender for Aidan O'Brien, is third choice ahead of National Stakes winner Scorthy Champ, who is also open to improvement in his 3yo season. Middle Park and Dewhurst winner Shadow Of Light has been deserted by Buick but is still worthy of considerable respect.[Ben Hutton]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
Prominent racer; made it 2-3 with Listed win at Doncaster (7f, good) last September and heavy ground may not have been ideal in the Group 3 Horris Hill next time; reappeared with fair fourth to Field Of Gold in the Group 3 Craven over C&D (good) and may improve for that run, but looks vulnerable.
Narrow win on debut in maiden at the Curragh (7f, good) last October and mighty run in the Group 1 Dewhurst here (7f, soft) just seven days later, when beaten only a neck by Shadow Of Light having raced apart from the winner; could have a very bright future and, with Ballydoyle's other 2,000 Guineas contenders having fallen by the wayside, he's now the sole contender for a trainer who has won this race ten times; has had a racecourse gallop; respected.
2-4 in 2yo campaign, including a win in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown (7f, good), and displayed considerable improvement on his reappearance when impressive in the Group 3 Craven over C&D (good) last month, despite being headstrong; there may be a stronger early gallop today which could help him settle better; has superstar potential and holds leading claims.
Won Leopardstown maiden (1m, good to yielding) last July on second run and followed up in Group 2 Juvenile Stakes there (1m, good) in September, both times beating Delacroix who subsequently went close in the Group 1 Futurity; further improvement is needed but trainer reports "he's done very well from two to three"; has had a racecourse gallop; not ruled out.
Impressive on debut at Sandown (7f, good) last July before creditable third in the Group 3 Acomb at York (7f, good to firm); returned from some time off with very easy Listed win at Meydan (1m, good) in March; faces much tougher opposition today but there was lots to like about that win and William Buick remains on board, instead of riding two-time Group 1 winner Shadow Of Light; trainer has won two of the last three runnings; could be top class.
Inexperience evident when 2l third of four in the Group 2 Futurity at the Curragh (7f, good) last August on his second start, but more professional when winning the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh (7f, good) in September by a neck from Henri Matisse, who went on to win at the Breeders' Cup; shapes as though 1m will suit and he could have more to offer; chance.
Trainer won this in 2016 with this colt's sire Galileo Gold; third to Scorthy Champ in National Stakes at the Curragh (7f, good) last September then not seen to best effect in the Dewhurst (on soft ground) and at the Breeders' Cup (wide trip); however, improvement needed to pose a threat.
Good-ground wins on first two runs before close second in Group 2 Gimcrack (6f, good), then enjoyed stellar autumn here with Group 1 wins in the Middle Park (6f, soft) and Dewhurst (7f, soft), becoming Champion Two-Year-Old; had a racecourse gallop here last month; stayed on well in the Dewhurst which provides optimism he'll see out 1m; a tongue-tie goes on; could have a big say, even though William Buick rides stablemate Ruling Court.
Third on debut at Lingfield (7f, AW) last September and won Newcastle maiden (1m, AW) in October; this unexposed half-brother to Australian Group 1 winner Just Fine is a likeable prospect who can be expected to progress, but he's bottom of this pack on ratings and by some margin.
Runner-up in Group 3 Acomb at York (7f, good to firm) last August then won the Group 2 Royal Lodge over this C&D (soft); no match for the front two in Group 1 Futurity (1m, soft) in October, nor for Field Of Gold in Group 3 Craven over this C&D (good) on reappearance; that latest run may have got some of the freshness out of him but he may again find a few too good.
Recovered from slow start to keep on for Listed win at Newbury (6f, good) last July on his third and final 2yo run; could improve for reappearance fifth in the Group 3 Greenham (7f, good; again slowly away) and every chance 1m will suit, but others have a lot more substance to their claims.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
