'Nothing can go with him at home' - Group 3 prize set to offer key Guineas clues

Thursday: 2.45 Newmarket
Tattersalls Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 2yo colts and geldings | RTV

An Andre Fabre-trained runner always adds an extra level of interest to a Newmarket contest but that is heightened significantly here with all eyes on Trident, who could emerge as a leading 2,000 Guineas contender.

Coolmore's son of Wootton Bassett caught the eye when second in the Prix Morny in August on only his third start. That run gave the impression he would improve over further but it is surprising to see him lowered into Group 3 company to test that theory.

Fabre – who won the 2,000 Guineas with Zafonic (1993) and Pennekamp (1995) – has a staggering overall 33 per cent strike-rate at Newmarket and Trident could return to these shores for the Dewhurst if all goes smoothly.

The trainer said: "He's been good since the Morny. I guess the step up in trip will be fine, I don't really see him as a sprinter and the distance is not a big concern. The Dewhurst could be an option for him."

Ribhi endured a nightmare run in the Flying Scotsman Stakes but the handicapper thinks highly of him, giving him a rating of 101, the joint-highest in the line-up, albeit with three rivals without official BHA ratings.

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tip on Thursday afternoon

The door shut at a key moment two furlongs out at Doncaster, forcing Ryan Moore to take a wide passage, and Ribhi stayed on to be a respectable fifth. Marcus Tregoning is praying for a bit more luck this time.

"He's come out of Doncaster well," he said. "We're running fairly quick but I don't mind doing that, he's in very good form. It's going to be goodish ground which will be perfect for most of them. The French horse looks good but we think he'll run a big race."

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Modern Games
Modern Games has a lovely, progressive profile and has done very little wrong to date. We've been pleased with him going into this and the testing seven at Newmarket should suit.

Richard Hughes, trainer of Ring Of Beara
He couldn't have won any easier last time and he's progressed nicely. We like him and we'll find out if he's a Guineas horse now. He'll have to handle the undulations but I think he will. Ryan [Moore] is on, he rode him first time out and liked him a lot. It's hard beating Andre Fabre when he brings one over, but we're hoping for a big run. I've got nothing that can go with him at home but it'll be a different story at Newmarket.

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