Star turn Wootton Bassett in good shape for 2000 Guineas

The Iffraaj colt signed off an unbeaten juvenile campaign with Group One glory in Longchamp’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, but a minor setback earlier this year threatened to derail his bid for Classic success.

But Fahey is thrilled to report his star turn’s preparations are now back in full swing and he could not be happier with the colt’s current condition.

“He just had a breeze over six furlongs this morning and we were delighted with him,” said Fahey. “He’s moving well and looks fantastic – he’s done very well over the winter.

“His first run will be the Guineas. We don’t want to miss any more work with him, but we were very pleased this morning. Paul (Hanagan, jockey) was delighted and we were probably a bit surprised how forward he was, which is a good sign.”

Wootton Bassett has the formidable task of trying to burst the Frankel bubble in the Guineas and the Dewhurst winner’s trainer Henry Cecil is gunning for further big-race glory on Saturday.

His dual Champion Stakes hero Twice Over bids to put last year’s 10th-placed finish behind him in the Dubai World Cup and after making a successful return out on the desert at the beginning of the month, is giving Tom Queally all the right signs.

The jockey, who described Twice Over’s appearance on the track at Meydan on Tuesday as “a routine piece of work”, said: “He’s grand. I’m happy enough with him and it’s so far, so good. He looks to have tightened up a little since the run – let’s hope we get some luck this year.”

n Last year’s winner Don’t Push It heads 74 remaining entries for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9.

Jonjo O’Neill’s 11-year-old gave multiple champion jockey Tony McCoy an emotional first success in the world’s most famous steeplechase last year, but will be forced to concede weight all round to his rivals this time.

The ante-post favourite is the Willie Mullins-trained The Midnight Club, while Oscar Time will bid to give Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen a huge double following last week’s Gold Cup success of Long Run.