The unbeaten red hot favourite Frankel heads a final field of 13 for Saturday's Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Frankel heads a field of 13 for Saturday's Qipco 2000 Guineas
The red hot favourite Frankel heads a final field of 13 for Saturday's Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Henry Cecil's magnificent colt is unbeaten in five starts and is poised to be sent off the shortest-price favourite for 40 years for the first Classic of the season.
Aidan O'Brien's duo of Alexander Pope and Master Of Hounds were the two withdrawals at the final declaration stage.
Ballydoyle's sole representative is now Roderic O'Connor, second to Frankel in the Dewhurst and winner of the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on his final start as a juvenile. He will be ridden for the first time by Ryan Moore.
The other leading protagonists have, happily, stood their ground, including Craven Stakes winner Native Khan and Irish challenger Pathfork.
Godolphin have given the go-ahead for Racing Post Trophy winner Casamento (Frankie Dettori) with Saamidd (Mickael Barzalona) also set to line up for Sheikh Mohammed's powerful operation.
The unbeaten Fury, trained by William Haggas and owned by Cheveley Park Stud, is also in the shake-up.
The progressive Dubawi Gold has been much garlanded by Richard Hannon and takes his chance, as does the Barry Hills-trained Rerouted, who runs in the same Khalid Abdullah-owned silks as Frankel and could adopt the pacemaker's role.
The twice-raced Loving Spirit is also a contender for Newmarket based trainer James Toller.
Slim Shadey, Broox and Happy Today will be the likely outsiders vying for Classic honours.
