QIPCO 2000 Guineas: War Command all the rage for classic glory

War Command is 9-1 (from 12-1) with Coral for Saturday’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas, having been 14-1 after the five day entry stage.

Aidan O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes winner is now fourth favourite for the colt’s classic at Newmarket on May 3rd, despite being the supposed stable second-string.

O’Brien is also set to be represented by Australia, whom he considers to potentially be one of most exciting horses he has trained.

The son of Galielo, who has won two of his three starts and ran out the very impressive winner of a Group 3 contest at the Curragh when last seen in action, is currently the 3/1 second favourite with Coral for the Guineas.

The John Gosden trained Kingman, who extended his uneaten record to three when strolling home in the Greenham at Newbury, is the even money favourite.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “War Command was 5-1 favourite for the 2,000 Guineas in our opening show after his Coventry Stakes win last summer, but lost that position with defeat in the Phoenix Stakes.

“Now punters clearly believe 12-1 was too big about a Dewhurst winner, and with Ryan Moore lined up to ride him, his odds could well shorten further before Saturday.”

War Command is bidding to become the third horse in the last four years to complete the Dewhurst/Guineas double.

Frankel did so in 2010 and 2011, and Dawn Approach won the Guineas by five lengths last year after winning the Dewhurst in 2013.

Both of those horses were sent off heavily-backed favourites, so punters are clearly latching on to the fact that War Command could well be overpriced to follow in their footsteps given the strength of his form.