Bookmakers have slashed Munir's odds for the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket following the news that Richard Hills has opted to ride the colt instead of Nayef in Saturday's race.
Ladbrokes now go 8 to 1 Munir from 10 to 1 while they have pushed Nayef out to 7 to 1 from 5 to 1. William Hill have cut Munir to 7 to 1 from 10 to 1.
Hills had the choice of owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's two candidates, Greenham Stakes winner Munir and Nayef, who was winter favourite for the Classic after two impressive victories as a juvenile but was a disappointing third in the Craven Stakes on his return.
Hills, who has ridden both colts in all their races, said: "They are two very high-class horses but I was very impressed with Munir at Newbury.
"He's got a turn of foot and he's got speed. I've won two Guineas (1,000 on Harayir and Lahan) and both horses had lots of speed which you must have if you're going to win a Guineas."
Willie Supple will now ride Nayef. `I'm looking forward to it," the jockey said. "I knew Richard was very impressed with his father's horse at Newbury."
Aidan O'Brien is responsible for five of the 24 confirmed entries for the 2,000 Guineas, headed by Middle Park Stakes winner Minardi.
Rumpold, the only horse to defeat Minardi, is one of three Godolphin entries. The others are the unraced Devine Task and market leader Tobougg, the mount of Frankie Dettori.
Henry Cecil's Quick To Please was the most notable withdrawal at yesterday's confirmation stage for the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas. A total of 19 fillies have been left in the race including Godolphin's Muwakleh and Tempting Fate.
O'Brien has left Imagine, Love Me True, Sequoyah and Toroca in the £300,000 contest.
Ground conditions have dried out at Newmarket ahead of the Guineas Festival which gets under way on Friday.
Heavy rain last week had turned the going on the Rowley Mile to soft but clerk of the course Michael Prosser said yesterday: "The ground has dried out.
"We've had 24 hours of dry weather and it's a good drying day today with plenty of sunshine so I've changed the going report to good to soft.
"Hopefully we won't get too much rain and the ground will continue to dry out."
