Racing:Aidan O'Brien could have four runners in the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas on May 2nd, as he bids to win the colts' Classic for the fourth time in five years. Current ante-post favourite Mastercraftsman, Rip Van Winkle, Westphalia and rank outsider Set Sail are all in the mix for the Newmarket showpiece.
O'Brien, who has five 2000 Guineas wins to his name, reports dual Group One winner Mastercraftsman to be in good order following a racecourse gallop at the Curragh last month.
"We are very happy with him and he was a big, mature two-year-old,” he said. "He did a nice piece of work at the Curragh and I am very happy with where he is.
"We all saw what they all did at the Curragh, and they have worked separately since.
"I have been happy with their individual work, but it would be hard to say what the pecking order is at the moment - although we might get some kind of an idea in the next couple of weeks."
Mastercraftsman won his first four starts, including the Phoenix and National Stakes.
Rip Van Winkle, who scored on his first two outings before finishing seventh in the Dewhurst, had an injury scare earlier this year - but O'Brien reports him to be fighting fit for the Guineas.
"It wasn't a big hold-up but he did have to go a bit slower for a time," O'Brien explained. "He is not a horse who takes a lot of work, and is a natural horse at home.
"The setback maybe wasn't a disadvantage, but time will tell. I am happy with where he is at the moment.”
Rip Van Winkle is quoted at 9-1 with the sponsors, while Westphalia is 16-1 and Set Sail at 50s.
O'Brien added: "Westphalia could go for a trial in France on Sunday (the Prix de Fontainebleau).
"He had a couple of tough races last year at Doncaster and in America, but he is in good shape and is in a good place at the moment.
"Set Sail is also in the picture and he could also run in France this weekend.
"He will also have an entry in the Craven Stakes, but we don't really like to travel them over so close to the Guineas."
John Oxx is to have at least one Guineas runner in Arazan, who could be joined by Sea The Stars.
The former lost his unbeaten record to Mastercraftsman in horrendous ground in the National Stakes, while Beresford Stakes winner Sea The Stars has recovered from a setback.
The third of Oxx's entries, Rayeni, will not be heading to Newmarket.
"Arazan is an intended runner in the Guineas," explained Oxx. "He is quite forward, ahead of schedule and pretty straight.
"The question mark would be firm ground. We have to make a decision on the ground as to whether we would risk him so early in the season.”
"We will decide closer to the day. He just doesn't want extremes.”