Frankie Dettori eyeing Classic upset after being confirmed for James Garfield

Frankie Dettori will be reunited with his Greenham winner James Garfield in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, and the jockey and trainer George Scott are purring at the prospect of him causing a Classic upset.

Dettori would have ridden Without Parole at Newmarket but on Tuesday the dual winner was ruled out of the contest with a foot problem.

His absence leaves the way clear for Dettori to renew acquaintance with James Garfield, whom he rode to a three-quarter-length victory over Expert Eye in the Greenham at Newbury last month.

Dettori has three 2,000 Guineas winners on his CV – Mark Of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999) and Galileo Gold (2016) – and, despite James Garfield being available at 25-1 on Tuesday, he is not ruling out a fourth.

He said: "James Garfield is a lovely horse. He was a good two-year-old and came back well to win the Greenham well, and he looked magnificent that day.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve and he will give you his all. He’s not over-big but he’s all heart and he’s very tough and tries. He’s a 25-1 shot but we’ll give it our best."

Dettori added: "He’s owned and trained by my mates, which is great, and I know he’ll be giving his all. He’s well balanced, he looks really well and I’m excited about the chance to ride him again."

Not only did he look 'magnificent' at Newbury, but James Garfield caught the eye again on Tuesday when breezing six furlongs in front of the media on the Cambridge Road Polytrack.

George Scott and his Classic hope James Garfield

He will be a first runner in a Classic for Scott, and wears the colours of the trainer's father-in-law Bill Gredley.

Scott said: "It's hugely exciting being a Newmarket trainer having a runner in a race like the 2,000 Guineas, especially as the Gredleys are a Newmarket family and bred the horse.

“To leg up Frankie, especially at the top level, is a huge asset to anyone. He's proved himself to be one of the greatest riders of all time. He has such experience and a relaxed nature going into these races – it means he can perform with a totally clear mind.

"He has already been a huge asset with this horse. Having the calm hands of Frankie has been a tremendous help to us.”

Although the step up to a mile will be largely an unknown for James Garfield – the only time he has run over the trip was in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, where he was never able to get into the race – Scott expects the son of Exceed And Excel to stay.

He said: "We're not apprehensive about the trip as his racing style gives him every chance of staying and he has stamina on his dam's side. He tried a mile at the Breeders' Cup but that run may as well not be on his CV as nothing went right."

Gredley added: "I've won three Classics but never one at Newmarket and we haven't even had a runner in one since Olympian Odyssey about ten years ago. I'd like to see him travelling at the Bushes and then finish in the shake-up."

After watching his Classic contender have a washdown back at his Saffron House Stables on Hamilton Road, Scott added of the task ahead: "There are all the galacticos in there at Newmarket but our horse deserves to be in the mix.

"He hasn't run at Newmarket before but has plenty of experience of the Dip, as it's just the same on the neighbouring Flat gallop and he's been along that many times. He goes there in the best physical condition we can have him in.

"Looking at the field, the one I'm most afraid of is Craven Stakes winner Masar. If I don't win it I hope he does for Charlie Appleby as he's a great friend."

James Garfield warms down after his exercise this morning

The ground on the Rowley Mile was described as good to soft, good in places on Tuesday after considerably less rain the previous day than had been forecast, although there is more scheduled for the area on Wednesday.

Michael Prosser, clerk of the course, said on Tuesday: "There was a vast difference between the reality and the expectation of the rain we were forecast yesterday. We ended up with 4mm when we were expecting 20mm.

"It's the slow side of good at the moment and temperatures dipped to 2C this morning with the clear skies, and after a heavy dew we've had a lovely day today.

"There's some rain forecast from the early hours through tomorrow, which should yield around 6mm. After that we're set to be dry right through until the end of play on Sunday, with temperatures nudging 20C.

"At this stage it's not inconceivable we'll start the meeting on good ground."