Pinatubo a solid Guineas favourite as punters support Wichita over Arizona

Aidan O'Brien has won the 2,000 Guineas a record ten times but punters appear to be siding with Wichita over stablemate Arizona as the best of the Ballydoyle opposition to Pinatubo.

Wichita, who finished third in the Dewhurst behind Pinatubo and Arizona, is partnered by Frankie Dettori for the first time and has been backed into a general 8-1 (from 12). Arizona has been pushed out to 9-1 (from 8), although last year's outstanding two-year-old Pinatubo remains a fairly solid 5-6 favourite.

The ground remains quick at Newmarket for the first British Classic of the season, the Qipco 2,000 Guineas.

Click here for Saturday's in-depth cards

With the going reported as good to firm (GoingStick 8.1, compared to 8.3 on Friday morning), attention switches to the stand side course on the Rowley Mile following two days of action on the far side track. The stalls will be positioned against the stand side rail for all races except those over one and a half miles.

There are no non-runners reported for the 2,000 Guineas, with Pinatubo putting his unbeaten run and Classic credentials on the line against 14 other rivals, including fellow Group 1 winner Kameko.

Market movers

Newmarket

1.15 Aplomb 3-1 (from 6), Stone Of Destiny 4-1 (from 11-2), Makanah 15-2 (from 11)
1.50 Far Above 11-4 (from 7-2)
3.35 Wichita 8-1 (from 12)
4.45 Pogo 5-1 (from 8), Blown By Wind 6-1 (from 7)
5.55 Nate The Great 3-1 (from 9-2)

Newcastle

1.30 Tadleel 6-1 (from 7)
2.05 Vitralite 5-2 (from 9-2)
3.15 Acquitted 2-1 (from 4)
5.05 Compton's Finale 9-2 (from 6)
5.40 Tim Rocco 11-4 (from 7)

The only non-runner at Newmarket is Tarboosh in the Palace House Stakes (1.50) due to the going. Up at Newcastle, Gravity Force is absent from a handicap (3.15) broadcast live as one of seven races on ITV.

Three rides of jockey Ben Curtis have had early market support – Vitralite (2.05), Acquitted (3.15) and Compton's Finale (5.05). Curtis has been in fine form at Newcastle this week, winning with five of his 22 rides on the Tapeta track. A further six finished second.

Full list of non-runners

Newmarket
1.50 – 8 Tarboosh

Newcastle
1.30 – 4 Modakhar
3.15 – 4 Gravity Force
3.50 – 10 Swooper
4.30 – 2 Olcan
5.05 – 10 Lydiate Lady

Lingfield
4.20 – 7 Ma Charie Amour
8.25 – 3 Sophar Sogood
9.00 – 3 Para Queen

Although conditions are set to be quick at Newmarket this weekend, the same cannot be said for ITV's other key meeting on Sunday at Haydock.

The ground had been similar quick at Haydock this week but that is no longer the case following 16mm of rain since Friday evening, with the going now described as good to soft.

Haydock's card features the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes, Listed Spring Trophy Stakes and rearranged Brigadier Gerard Stakes, which is typically held at Sandown.

The Racing Post newspaper is back in shops! With extensive coverage of all the racing, interviews with the biggest names, tipping from our renowned experts and all the cards and form, it's your unmissable guide to all the action. Don't forget to pick up your copy today