Barney could be the colt to deliver Guineas joy for Hannon

To trial or not to trial. Saturday's Qipco 2,000 Guineas will again settle an annual debate over the best approach to winning the season's first Classic.

Aidan O'Brien, who yet again is set to saddle the favourite, sticks to a tried and trusted formula which has made him the race's dominant trainer with seven successes. So we are due to see winter favourite Churchill for the first time this year at Newmarket on Saturday.

But from what we have seen in the trials Churchill, last year's European champion two-year-old, could have a fight on his hands given the potential shown by the winners of the key prep-races.