Shaweel to head for 2,000 Guineas
SHAWEEL, who ran ante-post favourite Mastercraftsman to a short head in the National Stakes last season, is Godolphin's most likely 2,000 Guineas horse at this stage according to racing manager Simon Crisford. The winner of last year's Gimcrack Stakes for Mark Johnston is a 25-1 chance for the Classic with sponsors Stan James. Crisford said: "Shaweel has got great two-year-old form and he looks a nice horse for the summer ahead. He'd be the one that looks at the moment like a possible Guineas contender. He's a big outsider but he'd be the best we've got over a mile at the moment."
Group 3 winner Kite Wood and Racing Post Trophy third Skanky Biscuit are both likely to run in Derby trials while Copperbeech, third in the Prix Marcel Boussac last season, could start her season in the Musidora Stakes at York.
Godolphin may also have runners at next month's Craven meeting, an earlier than normal return to Newmarket forced by the imminent closure of Nad Al Sheba racecourse with its facilities for training on turf. Crisford said: "I don't think it is going to make any difference, the timing of when they go back, but we'll have a look to see if it does."
Possible runners include Liberation in the first running of the £400,000 Tattersalls Timeform 3-Y-O Trophy, Hatta Fort in the Abernant Stakes and City Style in the Craven Stakes.