TOBOUGG EARNS HIGH RATING

Tobougg has established himself as one of Europe`s leading juveniles with an impressive victory on only his second start in the Group One Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp on Saturday.

Matthew Tester, the British Horseracing Board`s two-year-old handicapper, said: 'Tobougg did it really nicely and after discussing the race with the Irish and French handicappers - an Irish horse was second and a French horse was third and another British horse was fourth - I`ve put him up to 118.

'He is only lightly raced and I would expect him to run higher next time.'

Tobougg is a 14-1 chance with William Hill for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas.

Bad As I Wanna Be, fourth on Saturday, failed run up to the form he showed when winning the Prix Morny at Deauville last month and Tester said: 'There is a big question mark over Bad As I Wanna Be so I`ve had to take him out of calculations.

'I am looking forward to seeing him run again when I hope he confirms his status as a top performer.'

However, Brian Meehan, Bad As I Wanna Be`s trainer, has no immediate plans for the colt.

He said: 'I`m keeping an open mind on what to do with him - there are plenty of options.

'He`s comeback fine and sound from France and appears OK at this stage. We`ll carry out some tests on him later this week.'

Beckett`s three-length victory in the Aga Khan Studs National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday also created a favourable impression with Tester.

He said: 'Beckett looked a very nice horse the way he went about his business at the Curragh. He is going the right way and looks a colt with a big future.'

Mark Johnston`s recent Doncaster winner Down To The Woods finished fourth behind Beckett.

And Tester added: 'It looked as though Down To The Woods reproduced the form of his latest race so, after discussing it with the Irish handicapper, I`ve put Beckett on 114.'

Hills have introduced Beckett into their 2000 Guineas betting at 20-1.