With sixteen going to post this once again looks like a clash between the Guineas form and those that are improving and seeking to progress up the ladder to the top races later in the season. Ivawood: one of the top two-year-olds last season, he possibly did not get home in the Newmarket and Irish 2000 Guineas (third in both) and now drops in trip. The main issue could be the penalty, having to give five pounds or more to most of the field. Dutch Connection: finished down the field on seasonal debut in the 2000 Guineas. Carries a penalty but was thoroughly consistent as a two-year-old so not one to be totally discounted. Aces: has not created the impression in two starts this season that he is good enough to feature in the finish here, being well beaten in a Listed race at Epsom last time. Bossy Guest: showed improved form to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas following on from a good sprint win on his seasonal bow at Newmarket. In receipt of five pounds from Ivawood he is not out of the reckoning. Fanciful Angel: on the evidence of form so far this season, Marco Botti’s grey looks a little out of his depth here after being more than four lengths second in the German Guineas behind Karpino last time. Father Frost: with just three career starts, this son of Rip Van Winkle looks to have a lot to find to be in the shake up as he was well beaten in a Naas Listed race last month. Harry Hurricane: although his form is consistent this term, he looks well below the required level, most recently finishing fifth on Lingfield’s polytrack over five furlongs. Hathal: his two career starts give William Haggas’ charge no form chance but this well-bred individual could be the proverbial dark horse after a facile maiden race victory on Lingfield’s turf. Luck Of The Kitten: no way to assess the form of the American raider (fourth over a mile on Churchill Downs turf latest), but Wesley Ward has enjoyed some success with two-year-olds at this meeting so he could be the wild card. Mister Universe: has been thoroughly consistent in handicaps this season and was runner-up in an Epsom Listed race latest but that does not make him good enough at this level. Sir Isaac Newton: has a considerable amount to find on just the bare form after losing maiden tag at the third attempt last time but his trainer is not sending him here just for a day out so he has to be considered. Toscanini: very consistent throughout his career and looks up to contesting this type of race although third in Naas Group 3 race over six furlongs last time needs improving on. Tupi: made all last time in Newmarket Listed race but needs to step up to feature in a contest at this level. Volatile: consistent form this season but would need an improved showing to have a chance here after close third in Maisons-Laffitte Group 3 over five furlongs latest. Devonshire: succession of decent efforts this term may see this filly challenging for victory here as third in the Irish 1000 Guineas reads quite well after two Group 3 placings. Fadhayyil: fifth in the Newmarket 1000 Guineas on seasonal debut looks like form up to the level that may be required here so definitely has a chance. The conundrum here surrounds likely short priced favourite Ivawood. It may well be that he does not get a mile and this race has often fallen to Classic also-rans. If Hughes adopts the aggressive tactics from last time, there has to be a concern that the front runners in this race could cut each other’s throats and set it up for a hold-up horse. It is not inconceivable that Bossy Guest or Fadhayyil could be that horse at rewarding odds.
