Why is the line-up for the colts’ Classic so small?

The field for the 2,000 Guineas has fallen three years in a row now and while this could be explained by the state of the going – which is set to be good to firm – and the presence of a potentially outstanding favourite in Churchill, there could be another contributory factor.

The success of the Commonwealth Cup, the 6f Group 1 race for three-year-olds, became an instant hit as soon as it came into existence in 2015, the period from which the 2,000 Guineas field has declined.

Until the Royal Ascot race was created as there was no Group 1 race over six furlongs restricted to three-year-olds, there was no programme for three-year-old sprinters early in the campaign who would make up the numbers in trials or the Guineas itself before they came back in trip for the what was the year's first Group 1 at six furlongs, the Diamond Jubilee and against older horses.

In the past that might have been a path taken by a colt like Blue Point, who finished third behind 2,000 Guineas runners Churchill and Lancaster Bomber in the Dewhurst Stakes. Instead he reappeared at Ascot on Wednesday and now heads to the Commonwealth Cup.