2021 Qipco 2,000 Guineas: confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's big race

St Mark's Basilica is a notable absentee from the final field for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday after 15 colts were declared for the first Classic of the season.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien will still be represented by Battleground, Van Gogh and Wembley, who was a market mover earlier in the week to head the ante-post market for the contest at 4-1.

3.40 Newmarket Saturday: Qipco 2,000 Guineas Stakes racecard and betting

Ryan Moore was confirmed as the rider of Wembley with Frankie Dettori on Battleground.

Thunder Moon, who had been behind St Mark's Basilica when he landed the Dewhurst Stakes last year, will also line up on Saturday with Mac Swiney, winner of the Vertem Futurity, and Military Style the only others not declared for Newmarket.

William Buick will partner Master Of The Seas for Godolphin with James Doyle riding ante-post gamble One Ruler and Adam Kirby aboard Naval Crown.

Battleground: among Ballydoyle trio for the opening ClassicCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The Guineas will be by far the biggest field of the day at Newmarket with only one other race drawing a double-figure field after ten were declared for the Betfair Suffolk Stakes.

Pyledriver tops five declared for the Betfair Jockey Club Stakes, while there are nine runners in the Betfair Palace House Stakes, six in the opening 6f handicap, seven in the 6f handicap for older horses, four in the Newmarket Stakes and six in the handicap over a mile.

Newmarket Saturday card

Expert selection: One Ruler

I would expect One Ruler to give a good showing after his racecourse gallop during Craven week and he has been ably handled at Moulton Paddocks by Kieren Fallon.

I don't think there will be much to choose between him and stabemate Master Of The Seas but my selection won the Group 3 Autumn Stakes, which is a very strong race these days, over course and distance last October.
David Milnes, Newmarket correspondent

One Ruler: has been well-backed in recent weeksCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Qipco 2,000 Guineas: declared runners and riders

AlbadriHollieDoyle
BattlegroundFrankie Dettori
ChinditPat Dobbs
Devilwala Rossa Ryan
Legion Of HonourDavid Egan
Lucky VegaShane Foley
Master Of The SeasWilliam Buick
MutasaabeqJim Crowley
Mystery SmilesSilvestre de Sousa
Naval CrownAdam Kirby
One RulerJames Doyle
Poetic FlareKevin Manning
Thunder MoonDeclan McDonogh
Van GoghSeamie Heffernan
WembleyRyan Moore

Read more on the Qipco 2,000 Guineas:

Hannon's track fears for Chindit and the horse he thinks is the biggest threat

Wembley made new favourite for the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday

'He's bang up there' – Mutasaabeq to be supplemented for Qipco 2,000 Guineas

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