The 2000 and 1000 Guineas fields were narrowed down on Tuesday, with the potential line-ups beginning to clear up. The colts’ Classic on Saturday, 4th May was headlined by the absence of Group 1 winner Sunway, the most notable of several defections from the field, which was slimmed to 21 provisional runners.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for the clear favourite in the race in City Of Troy, but he cut his representation in the race from eight to four. Diego Velazquez, Henry Longfellow and River Tiber are the other trio involved to back up the market leader’s chances.
Richard Hannon trains Rosallion, the only other horse trading at single-figure prices for the 2000 Guineas, though he is also multiply represented. Recent Craven winner Haatem is set to join him in the field.
In the 1000 Guineas, 15 runners have been taken out of the fillies’ field. The majority towards the top of the market have remained committed to the race, with the leading fancy to have defected being Skellet for Ralph Beckett. However, Fallen Angel, Ylang Ylang and Dance Sequence are all set to honour their chances as they currently battle for favouritism.
34 will still have to be whittled down to 20 for the race run on Sunday, 5th May this season.