Gosden looking to Roaring Lion to bounce back following Craven flop

3.35 Newmarket
Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo fillies & colts | ITV

It is 18 years since a horse beaten in the Craven Stakes went on to win the 2,000 Guineas, namely King's Best, who reversed form with Umistim after finishing runner-up in the course-and-distance warm-up.

Two and a half weeks is a long time in racing and Roaring Lion was near the head of the betting for the Classic before being comprehensively turned over when only third to Masar in the Craven and now trades at around a 16-1 chance.

Whilst a nine-and-a-quarter-length deficit that day may be too much to turnaround, Roaring Lion is entitled to have come on for that comeback and he should get a more evenly-paced race this time around, which may help his stamina kick in.

The son of Kitten's Joy, who is one of two runners for race sponsor Qipco, worked nicely under big-race pilot Oisin Murphy during the week, and John Gosden is aiming for a first win in the Classic.

The trainer said: "It's going to be a different type of race to the Craven and he should get a more even tempo throughout. He's been in good form since his trial and hopefully should be there at the business end."

Garfield and Dettori out to complete elusive double

The last horse to complete the Greenham/2,000 Guineas double was Frankel seven years ago, and this year's Newbury winner will have to step up if he is to repeat the feat.

Trainer George Scott, however, is out to enjoy his first runner in the Classic come what may.

James Garfield's owners Bill and Tim Gredley received a boost in midweek when their preferred jockey Frankie Dettori became available after Without Parole was ruled out, and Dettori is seeking a fourth win in the race following Mark Of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999) and Galileo Gold (2016).

A son of Exceed and Excel, James Garfield will bid to confirm Greenham form with Expert Eye (second) and Raid (fourth), though he has yet to win beyond seven furlongs.

Scott said: "It's incredibly exciting to be having my first runner in a Classic and James Garfield goes there in top order.

"His run at Newbury seems to have brought him on physically, and more importantly mentally, and we're looking forward to the race. We're pleased with his draw (7) and I'll be leaving the tactics up to Frankie as he has a wealth of experience and doesn't need me to tell him what to do."

George Scott and his Classic hope James Garfield

Can Spring Cup winner Headway step up to the challenge?

William Haggas is hoping the ground continues to dry out for his Listed Spring Cup winner, who bypassed an outing in the Free Handicap at the Craven meeting when it was soft.

The paddock will be packed with members of the 200-strong Royal Ascot Racing Club who, like Haggas, are seeking their first success in a Newmarket Classic.

Following his latest impressive win on the all-weather at Lingfield in March, Headway enjoyed a racecourse gallop on the Rowley Mile ten days ago to get a feel of the surroundings.

Haggas said of Jamie Spencer's mount: "His all-weather form hasn't worked out as the second has been beaten since. I expect him to run a nice race but I don't think he'll be good enough to win. It could be he's more of a Jersey Stakes horse."

Raid will have to up his game for Simcock

Raid will be wearing the second colours of the race sponsor and was a popular each-way bet earlier in the week after some encouraging words from Sheikh Fahad's racing manager David Redvers.

The son of Havana Gold has a length and a half to find with James Garfield on their running in the Greenham, where he was last off the bridle.

Trainer David Simcock said: "I was delighted with how he ran at Newbury and he's come on for that, but I reckon he'll have to improve 10lb to be competitive."

Spencer thinking big with Royal Ascot winner Rajasinghe

Also having his first runner in a Classic is trainer Richard Spencer, who will be hoping to turn the clock back to 2007, when the now Rebel Racing colours were carried to 2,000 Guineas glory by Cockney Rebel.

The team are shortly to make a transfer to their new home at Sefton Lodge Stables and are hoping to make it in style with last year's Group 2 Coventry Stakes winner, who enjoyed a racecourse workout at the Craven meeting.

Spencer said of Adam Kirby's mount: "If you ignore his last two runs he'd have a chance. He's drawn one but we're not disappointed as Galileo Gold won it from there and everyone who has ridden the horse says he'll get a mile.

"We're looking forward to it and we'll let Adam ride his own race."

Michael Hills riding Rajasinghe in a gallop before racing at the Newmarket Craven meeting (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Group 3 winner Nebo out to defy his odds

The Charlie Hills-trained hope, who is around the 66-1 mark, will have to improve greatly on his comeback sixth in the Listed European Free Handicap at the Craven meeting – but there are reasons to believe he could do so, according to his trainer.

Hills said: "Nebo was not quite at his best that day but has done two nice bits of work since. It's a big ask but he has a decent draw in 13."

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