Fabre confident Al Wukair will finish in first three in Guineas

Master French trainer Andre Fabre is confident Al Wukair will finish in the first three in Saturday's Qipco 2,000 Guineas.

The Newmarket Classic will be the smallest since 1995, with only 12 horses remaining at Monday's confirmation stage. Four of those runners will represent trainer Aidan O'Brien, who will saddle favourite Churchill along with Lancaster Bomber, Peace Envoy and Spirit Of Valor.

Fabre, who landed the Guineas in 1995 when Pennekamp beat ten rivals, said on Monday: “I am quite confident that he will be in the first three on Saturday but I am a bit concerned that he was not a Group 1 winner as a two-year-old, something that most Guineas winners have already achieved, including both of mine [Zafonic and Pennekamp].

“The ground is not a worry for him as he has won on soft and it was on the fast side for the Djebel. He seems well balanced so neither is the course a major concern – I never have any complaints about Newmarket, which in my opinion is the best racecourse in the world.”

Frankel slammed 12 rivals when winning the 2,000 Guineas in 2011 and Craven Stakes winner Eminent and Dream Castle are set to try and become the superstar's first Classic winners as a stallion.

Rivet has been left in the race by trainer William Haggas, who also has Sea Of Grace among 18 in Sunday's Qipco 1,000 Guineas, but both are likely to head to France instead.

Haggas said: "Both our Guineas horses will be left in here but are more likely to go to France, at this stage."

John Gosden and Aidan O'Brien look to have the strongest hands for the 1,000 Guineas. Gosden has left in his trial winner Daban and Dabyah, while Rhododendron heads five potential runners for O'Brien.

Frankel is also doubly represented in this race as well, with Fair Eva and Queen Kindly set to line up.