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Stalls Will Go In Centre For Both Guineas

Newmarket´s Director of Racing, Michael Prosser, has announced yesterday that the stalls' position for both the Stan James 2000 Guineas on Saturday, May 5, and the Stan James 1000 Guineas on Sunday, May 6, will be in the centre of the track. For the 1m 4f race on each day, the stalls will be on the far side and for all other races on both days they will be on the stands' side. These positions are exactly as they have been for the last three years.

Following the completition of the latest round of watering yesterday afternoon, the going stick reading on the NatWest Rowley Mile is now 9.5 (the previous day it was 10.2). A decision will be made today with regard to further watering of the course.

Michael Prosser said: 'With a bigger than usual field in prospect for the Stan James Guineas 2000 Guineas on Saturday, we did consider positioning the stalls on the stands' side rail. However, it has worked so well for the last three years that we see no reason to change it. Of course there is the possibility of the field splitting, but realistically that might have well have happened even if we had positioned them on the stands' rail. Our aim is to try to ensure that the best horse wins the race and by positioning the stalls in the centre of the track, the potential for scrimmaging is minimised.'