Take Rob Roy, who ran a blinder on just his second start when pipped by Democratic Deficit in a whirlwind finish to the Craven Stakes here recently. He's plainly open to major improvement, while Iceman flashed home for fourth in the Craven and has clearly progressed well.
And what of the new partnership between Kieren Fallon and Aidan O'Brien? Fallon has opted for gallops prowess over public form in choosing Footstepsinthesand ahead of Oratorio and will be desperate not to mark his arrival at Ballydoyle by choosing wrong in a Classic. Whether he is right is hard to say. Footstepsinthesand is expected to leave the form of two juvenile wins behind now he tackles fast ground. Oratorio is reportedly a lazy type but is battle hardened after some fine efforts in top company, while Tucker is an interesting longshot after his win in a useful minor event here.
However, this looks a Guineas which revolves around Dettori and Dubawi. The champ was thrilled with the way his partner surged clear in a private trial in Dubai two weeks ago and that acceleration can settle matters again tomorrow.
If the 2,000 Guineas revolves largely around one horse, then Sunday's 1000 Guineas looks wide open. Karen's Caper pipped Cape Columbine in the Nell Gwyn and should go well, while Shanghai Lily has been heavily backed after good reports from the powerful Stoute yard.
Satin Kiss and Virginia Waters have also attracted support, but a little each-way on Maids Causeway looks the answer. This Giant's
Causeway filly was among the toughest juveniles around last season. Her gallant defeat of Penkenna Princess in the Rockfel Stakes here looks very solid form and this stiff mile will play to her strengths, too.
The rest of Channel 4's coverage at Newmarket this weekend is a mixture of valuable handicaps and interesting conditions events.
Most of the handicaps have a worryingly bookie-friendly look to them, but Promotion landed the
2.05 last year and can go close in the Queen's colours again tomorrow.
Avonbridge (nap) came within a whisker of landing the Palace House Stakes last season and looks sure to run another bold race at
2.35, while a little each-way on the in-form Native Title could be the answer to a wide open sprint at
3.45. Channel 4 also cast their net to Goodwood and Uttoxeter for a fillies' Listed race at 3.35 and a valuable handicap hurdle at 2.20.
It will come as a major surprise if Majestic Desert fails to justify favouritism in the Goodwood, while Richard Guest's Stan is improving fast enough to suggest he ought to go well in the Uttoxeter contest.
