Godolphin 2,000 Guineas hope halves in price to make William Buick's Classic call even tougher

Ruling Court halved in price with Coral and Ladbrokes for Saturday’s Betfred 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Thursday, although William Buick has yet to commit to riding the Justify colt over his Charlie Appleby-trained stablemate Shadow Of Light.

Ruling Court, who cost €2.3 million when bought as a two-year-old last year, has not been seen in Britain since finishing third to Derby favourite The Lion In Winter in the Acomb Stakes at York last summer.

However, he emerged as Godolphin’s leading chance of a third 2,000 Guineas winner in four years when winning impressively in the UAE’s Listed equivalent at Meydan in March and was cut to 4-1 (from 8) by Coral and Ladbrokes yesterday, while he is no bigger than 6-1 having been available at 10-1 last week.

Despite the gamble, Godolphin's first-choice rider Buick has yet to decide who he will ride in the Guineas. He also has the option of Shadow Of Light, who he partnered to land the Dewhurst last season.

Field Of Gold  remains 7-4 favourite for the John and Thady Gosden, but market interest in Ruling Court has strengthened after news that Twain, a leading contender for ten-time 2,000 Guineas-winning trainer Aidan O’Brien, has been ruled out of the race. 

Shadow Of Light won last season's DewhurstCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Ladbrokes representative Cal Gildart said: “We expected a bit of fluctuation after Twain was ruled out, and following his hugely impressive Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas win, it looks like Ruling Court is the punters’ pick behind Field Of Gold.”

Buick said on Wednesday a decision was yet to be made about his mount, although he is secured to ride Betfred 1,000 Guineas favourite Desert Flower on Sunday. The 10-11 chance is the sole representative for Godolphin in that race.

“I’m yet to speak to Charlie about Saturday," he said. “Charlie will have a view and we’ll sit down and talk about it. They’re two high-class horses and whatever way I go it’s not an easy choice. Equally, to have a choice like that is a privilege. Both horses deserve to be in the race.”

Saeed bin Suroor made his arrangements for Godolphin’s third 2,000 Guineas contender, Tornado Alert, with Silvestre de Sousa to ride.

The 66-1 shot was successful over the straight mile in a Newcastle maiden in October and bids to give De Sousa his first success for the trainer in eight years.

In Sunday's 1,000 Guineas Bin Suroor fields Elwateen, a rare runner for him in the Shadwell silks and the mount of retained rider Jim Crowley.

 The daughter of Group 1 winner Tawkeel was cut to 33-1 (from 66s) to follow up a victory in a Kempton novice on her debut in August.

"Tornado Alert probably needs further and will like a mile and a quarter maybe more," said Bin Suroor. “His work on the Limekilns has improved every week and he’s ready to run in the Guineas. We’ll give him a chance over a mile, he's a horse I like and he’s done well over the winter.

Tornado Alert: off the mark over a mile at Newcastle last OctoberCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“Elwateen won first time up over seven furlongs at Kempton and I think the mile will be better for her. 

"I’m happy with both of them, their work entitles them to take their chance in the two Classic races and we’ll see how they go."

Bin Suroor's Dubai Future remains on course for the newly upgraded Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp on May 25, where he will be joined by stablemate Passion And Glory.

"Dubai Future did his first piece of work on Saturday," said Bin Suroor. "We gave him an easy time after the Gold Cup but he’s back in full training and the plan remains the Group 1 in France."

Betfred 2,000 Guineas (3.35 Newmarket, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 7-4 Field Of Gold, 5 Expanded, 6 Ruling Court, 7 Scorthy Champ, Shadow Of Light, 14 Green Impact, Jonquil, 20 Wimbledon Hawkeye, 25 bar.

Betfred 1,000 Guineas (3.35 Newmarket, Sunday)
Betfred: 10-11 Desert Flower, 7-2 LakeVictoria, 5 Red Letter, 12 Bedtime Story, 14 Duty First, 20 Exactly, 25 Chantilly Lace, 33 bar.

Read these next:

Field Of Gold hardens as 2,000 Guineas favourite after Aidan O'Brien rules out his main contender 

Confirmations made for this weekend's 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket 

'We haven’t had a filly like this in the Guineas before' - unbeaten Godolphin star dazzles in Newmarket gallop 

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