Magna Grecia’s spirit put to the test in 2000 Guineas

2000 Guineas favourite Magna Gregia (purple cap) won last year's Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster for the father and son team of Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien.

The Invincible Spirit colt won two of his three starts as a juvenile – rounding off his campaign with a Group One triumph in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October last year.

He is the general 3-1 favourite to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record 10th victory in the Classic – and a third in succession following the recent triumphs of Churchill and Saxon Warrior respectively.

The Ballydoyle maestro could also saddle the unbeaten Middle Park winner Ten Sovereigns, The Irish Rover and Van Beethoven.

O’Brien said: “Everything seems fine with both (Magna Grecia and Ten Sovereigns) at the minute. So far so good. Everything has been well with them so far.”

The potential Irish challenge is completed by Kevin Prendergast’s Madhmoon, who suffered a surprise defeat on his return earlier this month.

The home team is headed by the William Haggas-trained Craven Stakes winner Skardu, while there are three Godolphin-owned contenders in Middleham trainer Mark Johnston’s Dark Vision, Saeed bin Suroor’s Royal Marine and Charlie Appleby’s Al Hilalee.

The latter has been off the track since winning a Listed prize at Deauville last August and has been supplemented at a cost of £30,000 for Saturday’s race.

Appleby said: “Al Hilalee pleased us in a racecourse gallop at Meydan and we have decided to supplement him for the 2000 Guineas.

“He won both his starts last season and is fit and well at the moment. We felt that he deserved a crack at what looks to be an open race. He has spent the whole winter in Dubai and arrived back in Newmarket on Sunday morning.

“We have always felt that Al Hilalee was going to be a potential Derby horse and the 2000 Guineas is one of the best Derby trials.

“He is not going to look out of place in an open renewal and I am confident that he can run a big race.”

As well as John Gosden’s pair of Azano and Kick On, other hopefuls include Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan’s Emaraaty Ana who won last year’s Gimcrack Stakes at York under Frankie Dettori.

Meanwhile Leyburn rider PJ McDonald has been booked to ride Name The Wind for Harrogate-born and Newmarket-based trainer James Tate.