2000 Guineas runners: Auguste Rodin all the rage

Little Big Bear @ 9/2

While Auguste Rodin will relish every yard of the Rowley Mile, his stablemate has speed on his side judged on some exciting juvenile performances which saw him crowned Europe’s champion two-year-old for 2022.

Narrowly beaten on his racecourse debut at the Curragh, the son of No Nay Never went on to win each of his four subsequent starts, including the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.

But it was a scintillating display on what proved to be his final juvenile appearance in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh that saw him top the charts, with Little Big Bear sprinting seven lengths clear of the ultra-consistent Persian Force.

“On paper, Little Big Bear may be the second string of the O’Brien runners, but that’s not putting off punters backing the Phoenix Stakes winner,” said Coral’s John Hill. “The speedy colt has attracted strong support since the draw was made.”

Chaldean @ 15/2

Blotted his copybook when unseating Frankie Dettori at the start of the Greenham at Newbury last month but galloped on riderless for the whole of that contest, so at least he will have had a good blow-out.

Chaldean warrants huge respect among the 2000 Guineas runners on his two-year-old form, which included Group-class victories at York and Doncaster before he showed a real willing spirit to hold off Royal Scotsman in the Dewhurst at this track.

Andrew Balding shrugged off the Newbury mishap, stating: “He’s fine. None the worse for his little saunter down the track. He had a great time, hardly lost any weight. It was an unconventional dress rehearsal, but there we are – it is what it is.”

The can't get by him! 🚀

Chaldean wins the Darley Dewhurst Stakes 🥇

He goes from strength to strength! 💪#ITVRacing | @NewmarketRace | @FrankieDettori | @AndrewBalding2 pic.twitter.com/DMXQWQqupi

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 8, 2022

Sakheer @ 17/2

A narrowly beaten second on his racecourse debut at Windsor last summer, the son of Zoffany went one better with a six-length success at Haydock before dominating the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Sakheer missed an intended appearance in the Dewhurst in October, which means he is another yet to race beyond six furlongs, but Roger Varian is hopeful he will stay the longer distance and described a recent workout at Newmarket as “perfect”.

The trainer added: “We are as confident as we can be about his stamina and he’s bred to get the trip, even beyond a mile. He was strong through the line in all of his starts and if he gets home, he could be a very good miler.”

Royal Scotsman @ 8/1

Was sent off relatively unfancied for the Dewhurst at 12/1 after tasting defeat in the Coventry at Royal Ascot and the Gimcrack at York either side of landing the Group Two Richmond at Glorious Goodwood in a fast time.

Paul & Oliver Cole set to unleash Royal Scotsman in the 2000 Guineas 🚂

📹 Look into Royal Scotsman's training and preparation at @whatcomberacing ahead of the first Classic of the season at @NewmarketRace tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/x8QHjk6n2c

— Coral (@Coral) May 5, 2023

However, stepping up to seven furlongs really seemed to suit this son of 2015 Guineas hero Gleneagles, as he was inching closer and closer to Chaldean all the way to the line, eventually going down by just a head for jockey Jim Crowley.

Joint-trainer Oliver Cole revealed there were excuses for a below-par effort at York and commented: “We were delighted with his run at Newmarket. We think he is an exceptional horse. He broke the track record at Goodwood and to do that was very impressive.”

READ JIM CROWLEY’S SATURDAY PREVIEW

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