No Surprises Among High-Class Stan James Guineas Acceptors

The first forfeit stage (Tuesday, April 25) for the Stan James 2000 Guineas and Stan James 1000 Guineas brought no surprises as all the leading contenders remained on course for the season´s first Classics, run on Newmarket´s NatWest Rowley Mile on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7.

The Aidan O´Brien-trained George Washington, last season´s European champion juvenile, heads the 23 acceptors for the Stan James 2000 Guineas, along with stablemates Amadeus Mozart, Art Museum, Frost Giant, James Joyce and fellow Group One-winner Horatio Nelson.

The Ballydoyle contingent will face a stiff home challenge headed by Group One Darley Dewhurst victor Sir Percy and the Group One Shadwell Middle Park Stakes winner Amadeus Wolf, while Godolphin has two possible contenders in Group One Racing Post Trophy hero Palace Episode, and another end-of-season purchase Opera Cape.

Barry Hills saddled Killybegs to land the Group Three Unicorn Asset Management Craven Stakes on the NatWest Rowley Mile from Metropolitan Man, and the trainer could also be represented by Lane´s End Greenham Stakes victor Red Clubs, and Olympian Odyssey.

Misu Bond captured the Listed Banshahousestables.com Free Handicap, while Secret World took Division One of the Basic Bloodstock Insurance Wood Ditton on April 19, both run at Newmarket´s Craven meeting.

The seven-strong Irish challenge includes the Jim Bolger-trained Heliostatic, second to Yasood in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes on April 15.

Winter market mover City Of Troy is the notable absentee after his disappointing eighth behind Killybegs last time, leaving Sir Michael Stoute reliant upon Final Verse. Hurricane Cat, Ivan Denisovich and the injured Nakheel are also among the 55 taken out.

There are 28 remaining in the Stan James 1000 Guineas, with long-time ante-post favourite Rumplestiltskin the pick of three possible Aidan O´Brien-trained runners, along with Race For The Stars, and Kamarinskaya, winner of the Group Three Dimitrova 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on April 15.

The Ballydoyle trainer will not be saddling Alexandrova, Chenchikova or Beauty Bright, while Ed Dunlop´s Bouboulina is one of 57 removed, along with the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Violette.

Meon Valley Stud Fillies´ Mile heroine Nannina is set for the fillies´ Classic, as is fellow Group One winner Donna Blini, successful in the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes last September from Wake Up Maggie.

Godolphin looks set to rely on Silca´s Sister, successful in the Group One Darley Prix Morny at Deauville in August, and Deveron, while Mick Channon has dual Group Two winner Flashy Wings and recent Newbury maiden scorer Silver Touch.

Speciosa took the Group Three Shadwell Nell Gwyn Stakes on the NatWest Rowley Mile on April 18, while Nasheej won her trial, the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury later that week.

Confidential Lady and La Chunga were classy juveniles, as was the Robert Collet-trained New Girlfriend who is one of two French-trained entries along with the unexposed Impressionnante.

The seven Irish-trained acceptors also includes Alexander Alliance, who will bid to give Tommy Stack his second Stan James 1000 Guineas, following Las Meninas in 1994.

Michael Prosser, Newmarket´s Clerk of the Course, commented: 'All the big guns have stood their ground and all roads now lead to the Stan James Guineas Festival! You couldn´t ask for higher quality in both Classics and I think we´re in for two outstanding races here in just over a week´s time.'