One horse, one trainer, one jockey and one race to follow on Saturday

One horse

Quilixios (4.00) makes his first start since dominating the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and will be out to cement his status as one of jump racing's top prospects heading into next season.

The four-year-old remains unbeaten after five starts and showed no ill effects of a late stable switch from Gordon Elliott to Henry de Bromhead prior to Cheltenham.

Quilixios (leading) will again face Haut En Couleurs (yellow) and Zanahiyr (white and green) at PunchestownCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

He will likely go off a deserving favourite but will face stern opposition in the form of Haut En Couleurs and Zanahiyr, who is surely better than he showed at the festival last time.

One trainer

Joseph O'Brien gained his first British Classic success in last season's St Leger with Galileo Chrome and holds a great chance of doubling his tally with Thunder Moon in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40).

The three-year-old got the better of the reopposing Wembley in the National Stakes last season before finishing a good third to St Mark's Basilica in the Dewhurst.

O'Brien has made a habit of upsetting the established order at Newmarket in recent seasons, winning the Fillies' Mile in 2018 and 2020, and looks to have the ammunition to do so again.

One jockey

Over the first three days of the Punchestown festival Patrick Mullins has had four winners from eight rides including two Grade 1s and and Grade 3.

Patrick Mullins: has already enjoyed Grade 1 success at the Punchestown festival this year courtesy of Echoes In Rain and Klassical DreamCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He is closing in on yet another amateur title and has Concertista to look forward to in Saturday's Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle (3.20).

Mullins' brilliance in the saddle is unsurprising at the this point but it doesn't make his achievements any less remarkable.

One race

The Qipco 2,000 Guineas is the first Classic of the British season and as ever will set the ball in motion for what promises to be another exciting campaign on the Flat.

Aidan O'Brien goes in search of a record-breaking 11th victory in the race and has a strong hand as he saddles the favourite Wembley alongside Battleground and Group 1-winner Van Gogh.

Battleground: will be partnered by Frankie DettoriCredit: Edward Whitaker

One Ruler and Master Of The Seas are contenders for Godolphin, while Mutasaabeq would be a poignant winner in the colours of the late Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Read more on this weekend's racing:

2021 Qipco 2,000 Guineas: the runners, the odds, the verdict

2021 Qipco 1,000 Guineas: confirmed runners and riders for Sunday's big race

Fillies' Mile winner Pretty Gorgeous to miss 1,000 Guineas after bad scope

Aidan O'Brien: 1,000 Guineas hotpot Santa Barbara will be green at Newmarket

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here