Richard Hannon has expressed concerns that the undulations of the Rowley Mile could prove a stumbling block for his Newbury trial winner Chindit in Saturday's Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Hannon told The Punter, "When Chindit was beaten in the Dewhurst, the times that day suggested it was heavy ground. I am concerned about the track, however, as he's done all his winning on flat tracks such as Newbury, Ascot and Doncaster and this is vastly different to that.
"I don't think he enjoys the undulations that much, but I put his defeat that day down to the ground and I just hope Newmarket misses the heavy showers that are around before the weekend."
Wembley became the new favourite on Tuesday for Saturday's Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket as bookmakers trimmed the Aidan O'Brien-trained runner into a top-priced 9-2.
Dewhurst winner St Mark's Basilica, a 6-1 shot, also represents Aidan O'Brien, as does Battleground, successful at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood last summer and 10-1 with Hills for the Guineas.
William Buick will partner Craven Stakes winner Master Of The Seas over ante-post gamble and joint-favourite One Ruler in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas on Saturday. Charlie Appleby, who trains the Godolphin duo, said Buick had come to the decision having "asked some serious questions" of Master Of The Seas, who picked up stylishly to defeat stablemate La Barrosa in the Craven having been short of room at a key stage of the race.
One Ruler was last seen chasing home Mac Swiney in the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster last October, but had plunged into joint-favouritism for the first Classic of the season following glowing reports of his home work. He will be ridden by James Doyle.
Mutasaabeq was clipped to 7-1 (from 8) behind 9-2 favourite Thunder Moon by Coral, whose head of PR David Stevens said: "It's far from impossible that the supplemented Mutasaabeq could challenge Thunder Moon for favouritism, such is the open nature of this season's opening Classic."
Oisin Murphy says he was “thrilled” with Alcohol Free’s preparation run ahead of Sunday’s QIPCO 1000 Guineas bid and believes she has every chance of staying the mile at Newmarket.
