Ahern hoping Pimpernel can turn tables

Eddie Ahern believes there are plenty of reasons why Elusive Pimpernel can overturn last season's form with St Nicholas Abbey in Saturday's StanJames.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Ahern was aboard the John Dunlop-trained colt when he finished just under four lengths second at Doncaster - his only defeat in four starts.

But the jockey was suspended when the colt made an impressive seasonal reappearance in the Craven Stakes over the Guineas course and distance, cementing his standing as second favourite.

"I'm very excited," said Ahern.

"The horse won very well at Newmarket - I liked the way he quickened away at the end and the ground is in my favour. I think he ticks all the boxes.

"St Nicholas Abbey is obviously the danger.

"On soft ground he beat me by four lengths but he's going to be running on quicker ground on a track that might not suit him.

"My horse was a big two-year-old and has really developed over the winter. He has improved, and hopefully he has improved enough to reverse the four lengths."

Mark Johnston is searching for his second win in the race following the success of Mister Baileys 16 years ago.

This season he saddles the diminutive Awzaan, winner of last season's Middle Park Stakes, and Greyfriarschorista, one of the outsiders for the contest.

"I am happy with them and both horses are in good form," said Johnston.

"We wouldn't want the rain, both ours won't mind the fast ground while it might inconvenience the others, though we will take it (ground) as it comes."

Angus Gold, racing manager for Awzaan's owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, added: "He was precocious last year but he is a strong horse and if he is good enough he is certainly big enough.

"They were just fine-tuning him in his racecourse gallop at Newmarket and wanted Richard (Hills) to have a sit on him to instil a bit of confidence into him.

"He is back to his racing weight now and Mark has seemed very happy with him."

There has been plenty of talk about Inler ever since he made what was seemingly a much expected winning debut at the track in October.

His trainer John Best said: "It would be nice to think Inler will be in the shake-up as everything has gone spot-on.

"The only slight worry is we got no run into him but he worked at Newmarket and had a proper blow afterwards.

"That's the first time I've seen him do that, so he must have needed it."

The Maidstone handler is also represented by the once-raced Elspeth's Boy, who takes a big step up in class following a winning introduction at Wolverhampton.

"Elspeth's Boy won a maiden at Wolverhampton, which was a reasonable race, but that was his first time out of the yard and it was much more raw talent that got him there," Best added.

"He's not come to himself quite yet this year, but there has been improvement over the last two weeks."