Bay to break his duck

Clearing is now deemed a French 2,000 Guineas candidate following his hard-fought defeat of smart filly, Palace Affair. Meanwhile, Charlton has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, notably when Welcome Friend - exercise companion to Frenchmans Bay - delivered a cosy win in a competitive Newmarket handicap on Wednesday.

Chief danger is Tamburlaine. This colt has been spoken of in high terms by connections - superior even to King's Ironbridge, who savaged Nayef's reputation yesterday.

The Craven winner was an exception to the rule of trainer Richard Hannon's runners to date this season, as most have needed the race on their return. But King's Ironbridge, too, may have blown up which would explain why runner-up Red Carpet was able to peg him back despite pulling so hard.

However, Tamburlaine's form largely revolves around Nayef, Painted Room and Terrestrial - all of whom have been beaten this week. Six 1,000 Guineas entrants line up in the Fred Darling, of which Alshadiyah may not stay and both Ashlinn and Final Pursuit may lack quality. The other three - Pelagia, Saudia and Sayedah - also hold Oaks engagements. Fatwa will at least be fit. Italian import, Rolly Polly, may turn out a smart sprinter but Henry Cecil's horses have been hit and miss so far.

Sayedah won the Group Two Rockfel Stakes and gets in without a penalty here, but not all of trainer Tregoning's arrows have hit the mark - from Nayef to the Nell Gwyn flop of filly Sheppard's Watch.

So preference is for Saudia over Pelagia.

The best betting heat of the day is the Bet Direct Spring Cup where several hard-luck stories from last month's Lincoln and its consolation race again do battle. Lucky Gitano ran too freely and was eased significantly when beaten in his Doncaster event. With trainer John Dunlop is such flying form, he must be respected.

Lincoln fourth and fifth, Mastermind and Pulau Tioman, ran well enough to suggest they can take a hand on better ground here. Peter Harris's Kirovski may fare best of the Lincoln also-rans, looking likely to strip much fitter for the race. But with new trainer Geoff Wragg in smart early-season form, authoritative Pontefract winner The Whistling Teal looks a good thing. He's gone up 8lb for that, but had slipped to a handy mark last term.

In the opening Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Conditions Stakes there have been strong words for both Mark Johnston's runaway Musselburgh winner, Golden Wells, and Cole's Archduke Ferdinand. The latter gets the nod.

Newbury TV selections: 2.00, Archduke Ferdinand; 2.30, Saudia; 3.00, Frenchmans Bay; 3.30, The Whistling Teal.