City Of Troy eased in the 2,000 Guineas betting as punters oppose favourite with two outsiders

City Of Troy has been pushed out to a top-priced 8-11 for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.35) after the money came for two horses at double-figure prices on Saturday.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite, who carries huge expectations following a spectacular juvenile campaign, had been as short as 4-7 overnight but is a drifter with most layers, with Ghostwriter and Haatem strong in the market.

Similarities to City Of Troy can be drawn in Ghostwriter as he takes a three-race unbeaten record and course-winning form into the Guineas, having won the Royal Lodge in September. The Clive Cox-trained son of Invincible Spirit has been cut to 11-1 (from 16) by William Hill.

Craven Stakes winner Haatem, the apparent second string of Richard Hannon's stable behind second favourite Rosallion, is the other positive with his odds into 25-1 (from 33).

• Watch The Morning Post as Aidan O'Brien provides the lowdown on 2,000 Guineas hope City Of Troy

James Doyle's mount proved his credentials by winning the Craven over course and distance last month by three and a half lengths.

Having run ten times, Haatem is by far the most experienced runner in the line-up and while he could be susceptible to classier types, he looks sure to give each-way backers a run for their money.

Rank outsider Ten Bob Tony has been nibbled at in places with his price 50-1 (from 66).

Other market movers

Newmarket
1.45 Noble Style 6-1 (from 7)
2.20 Theoryofeverything 11-2 (from 13-2)
2.55 Beautiful Diamond 3-1 (from 4)
4.10 Geremia 10-1 (from 20)
4.45 Eye Of Dubai 7-2 (from 5)

Punchestown
5.25 Waterford Whispers 5-2 (from 4)

Guineas set to be run on good ground

Saturday's Qipco 2,000 Guineas is set to be run on good ground after a dry night at Newmarket.

A total of 5mm of rain fell at the track on Friday, the majority during racing in the afternoon, but with only the chance of isolated light showers on Saturday, the going is expected to remain good for racing.

Clerk of the course Andrew Morris said: "We've been dry since 7.30pm last night and it's cloudy with the odd sunny spell this morning. The ground remains good and hopefully we're set fair for a dry day. 

"It's due to be cloudy with the odd sunny spell, there's the threat of an isolated light shower late in the afternoon, but we're not expecting anything measurable.

"The ground is on the slow side of good and we'll see a gradual drying process throughout the day. I don't think we'll see a lot of change between now and during racing."

Newmarket: 5mm of rain fell at the track on FridayCredit: Mark Cranham

There are two Premier meetings on Saturday with Goodwood staging a seven-race card featuring the Listed William Hill Conqueror Fillies' Stakes (2.05), which will be shown on ITV.

Four races at Newmarket, starting with the 1.45, and the Vickers.Bet Thirsk Hunt Cup (2.40) complete the ITV schedule.

Soft ground for final day of Punchestown

The final day of the Punchestown festival is headlined by two Grade 1s, the Coolmore N.H. Sires Bolshoi Ballet Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (3.42) and the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (4.50).

Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: "We had 3mm of rain overnight and the ground remains soft on all three tracks - hurdle, chase and cross-country. There's fresh ground on the hurdle and chase tracks. 

"The forecast is for light drizzle through the morning, clearing into the afternoon. We're in a good place and we're all good to go."

Key non-runners

Newmarket
1.10 8 Dorothy Lawrence
1.45 3 Rocket Rodney
2.20 8 Lattam, 9 Lion Of War, 16 Mustazeed
2.55 1 Equality
5.50 15 Epsom Faithfull

Goodwood
3.55 7 Golden Arc

Punchestown
2.30 1 Coko Beach, 5 Roi Mage, 6 Vital Island, 7 Subset, 15 Singing Banjo, 16 Three By Two, 18 De Nordener, 19 Transprint
3.05 13 Bodhisattva
4.15 1 Farouk D'Alene, 2 Fury Road, 8 Percy Warner, 15 Bonnie Kellie
5.25 11 Visionarian, 19 Gold Dancer, 26 Garrybello, 28 Ardera Ru
6.00 12 Passenger6.30 2 Pro Bono

Updated at 1pm

Read our Saturday previews:

'We've been waiting for this race all winter' - analysis and quotes for £100,000 sprint handicap 

Torito bids to thwart former Gosden stablemate as progressive four-year-olds and familiar faces clash at Newmarket 

'It's tough for these three-year-old sprinters' - can Beautiful Diamond sparkle in Palace House? 

'We're very happy with everything he's shown us' - Aidan O'Brien hopeful City Of Troy can live up to hype in 2,000 Guineas 

Superstar mare Lossiemouth long odds-on for a fourth Grade 1 before possible tilt at 2025 Champion Hurdle 

'She has danced every dance this year' - Paul Townend hoping Kargese can hold on to her form 

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