Godolphin represented in 2000 Guineas by Ibn Kaldun The British trained defence of the 2000 Guineas sees just one Godolphin representative, Ibn Khaldun, while Sir Michael Stoute´s Perfect Stride, Free Handicap winner Stimulation and juvenile Group 1 victor Scintillo are other leading fancies. Ibn Khaldun is the sole representative for Godolphin after Rio De La Plata was, as forecast, taken out. Alfathaa, Bahamian Kid, Dream Eater, Fireside, Moynahan, Strike The Deal and Stubbs Art complete the British line-up. Strike The Deal is likely to be an outsider, despite having won the Group 2 Richmond Stakes last term. The Van Nistelrooy colt went on to finish fourth in the inaugural Breeders´ Cup Juvenile Turf and was most recently seen when running a fine fifth in the 1m1f UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba in March. Trainer Jeremy Noseda has only had two previous runners in the race, the last being Araafa, who finished fourth in 2006. Noseda said: "Subject to the ground being good or faster, Strike The Deal will run in the Guineas and Eddie Ahern will ride. "We are rolling the dice a little bit, but the form he has shown through his career gives him every right to take his place in the line-up. "If he were to finish in the first four or five, we would be delighted," the Newmarket trainerr told www.jeremynoseda.com. Victor Chandler is chasing fellow bookmaker Stan James´ money as he is part of the syndicate which owns Fireside, along with the likes of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and renowned football agent Pini Zahavi. The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained colt finished sixth in the ultra-competitive Goffs Million at the Curragh on his racecourse bow before breaking his maiden at Newmarket last October. Although Fireside has quite a bit to find on the book, Chandler plans to enjoy his day as an owner. He said: "We decided to have a bit of fun with some syndicated horses and Butch Beaton-Brown (Chandler´s nephew) approached his very good friend, Harry Herbert, with the idea of them running under his Highclere operation with a VC banner. "Sir Alex Ferguson and Pini Zahavi are also in the syndicate that own Fireside. "You could say that we are tilting at windmills but we have a runner in a Classic and not many owners are able to enjoy that experience!"
