'We've seen a few quid for Coroebus and there was a twinkle in Appleby's eye'

The powerhouse stables of Charlie Appleby and Aidan O'Brien have fine strings to their bow in Saturday's Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40) at Newmarket in Native Trail and Luxembourg, but the yard's back-up runners seem to be catching the attention of punters.

Native Trail, unbeaten in five and champion juvenile last year, has long headed the betting for the Classic and remains favourite, but was odds-on in places on Friday and reached 11-8 with William Hill at one point on Saturday morning.

He is generally 5-4, but stablemate Coroebus is not without support it appears.

James Doyle: he will ride CoroebusCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He had been 11-2 with BoyleSports on Friday, but they are now 9-2, while 4-1 exists about the Appleby inmate, who will be ridden by James Doyle with William Buick on Native Trail.

Luxembourg had been vying for with Coroebus in the betting behind Native Trail, but William Hill make him 13-2, which is not far off the general odds of fellow O'Brien runner Point Lonsdale, who is mainly 8-1.

However, he was 14-1 with Betfred 24 hours ago and 15-2 is what they now offer.

Paddy Power make Coroebus 9-2 (from 5) and are 15-2 (from 8) about Point Lonsdale.

"Native Trail remains 11-10, but we've seen a few quid for stable companion Coroebus who has only had a racecourse gallop this season," said the firm's Paul Binfield.

"However, when the pair ran on the same day last year there was a bit of a twinkle in the eye of Charlie Appleby about the latter and we've also seen some support for Irish raider Point Lonsdale."

'We've got to take him out of his comfort zone'

Frankie Dettori, the world's most famous jockey who has won the 2,000 Guineas three times, seems lukewarm on the chances of favourite Native Trail landing the Qipco-sponsored Classic at Newmarket (3.40) on Saturday.

Dettori has explored the race in depth and he is on Point Lonsdale for Aidan O'Brien, who also runs the exciting Luxembourg.

Point Lonsdale: Frankie Dettori's mountCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I should be on the second string, but you never know when you ride for Aidan O'Brien, so I don't know what to expect," Dettori said. "I'm super excited and his record is second to none. I'm looking forward to giving it a good go.

"This race makes stallions, so there's tremendous pressure for everyone and it's so important. It could produce the next champion."

Dettori, speaking on The Opening Show on ITV4, added: "I did my homework on the Guineas yesterday - going back through last year's form - and it looks an amazing race. I find it part of my routine.

"I need to go to the gym for two reasons; to keep my weight down, but it gives me an hour of focus so I can think through what I have to do in the races. I run things through in my head, which I think is very important, although no different to a tennis player or footballer getting in the zone."

In the Charlie Appleby-trained Native Trail, who will be ridden by William Buick, Dettori faces a champion juvenile who is unbeaten in five starts and has had the benefit of a recent run when he won the Craven this month.

Frankie Dettori: rider has done his homeworkCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He brings very good form to the table and looks a hard horse to beat," the top rider explained. "What I didn't like in the Craven was him changing his lead about four or five times coming into the Dip on ground that was very good and by the time we get to 3.40, I expect the ground to be good to firm. Will that be a stumbling block? It's a question mark. I think he's meeting a different kettle of competition today.

"We've got to take him out of his comfort zone. We can see he finds the Dip tricky. I'll ride the race to suit my horse, but I'm well aware of my competition. Native Trail is an almighty horse and the only thing I can see getting him in trouble is the firm ground and the Dip, and then you try to take advantage of it. He's been here before and coped with it, but not - I think - very well.

"People say being drawn in 15 isn't good, but I think if William had the choice he'd pick that. He's a horse who doesn't need to have cover and he can organise him from a long way out with no traffic problems.

"Being towards the stand side seems the place to be in the last few years and he's got me as a reference point in 11. Being drawn in one, you could be left with too much to do. If I was William, I'd be very happy with 15."

Paddy Power market movers

Newmarket
1.50 Raatea 10-1 (from 11)
2.25 Lucander 14-1 (from 18)
3.00 Zarzyni 12-1 (from 14)

Thirsk
2.05 Astro King 15-4 (from 4)

Goodwood
2.40 Bashkirova (9-2 from 11-2)

'Gorgeous' day forecast

The weather for Saturday's , Britain's first Classic of the 2022 Flat season, will be "gorgeous" according to Newmarket's clerk of the course Michael Prosser, who described the going for the big race as good, good to firm in places.

Due off at 3.40, the 2,000 Guineas will be broadcast live on ITV's main channel along with other races from Newmarket, Goodwood and Thirsk.

Unbeaten Godolphin star Native Trail is favourite for the prestigious mile event around the 5-4 mark.

Saturday's runners and riders

He is unlikely to find conditions a problem and, speaking at 7.30am on Saturday, Prosser said: "We had quite a sharp frost overnight - it went to a -4C air first - and it's only just lifting now. It's a bit misty now, as forecast, although that was probably a bit sharper frost than we anticipated.

"That will lift and we'll be left with a really nice day. The sun is up and we're forecast minimal breeze with sunny spells and a dry day with highs of 16C. It was dry overnight. Today's perfect - a gorgeous day to come racing.

"There's a fair bit of moisture in the ground from the mist and the frost and, even allowing for the sun coming up, it will take a bit of a while for the ground and air temperatures to rise. I'll walk the course again at 11am, but suspect it'll still be damp."

The Guineas meeting began at the track on Friday, when Native Trail's connections were among the winners.

Newmarket: track got pretty cold on Friday nightCredit: Edward Whitaker

He is drawn in stall 15 of 15 in the Guineas and Prosser added: "The feedback from jockeys yesterday about the ground was favourable and I spoke to a couple of trainers at the end of the day who weren't here, but had said the feedback they got was that the track was in great order.

"I've no view on the draw as it's a nice even strip of ground."

Newmarket stages the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, the Classic for three-year-old fillies, on Sunday and Prosser said: "The weather front that is moving down from the north west on Sunday is slightly delayed on timing and we're forecast from mid-morning on Sunday through to the early evening patchy, light, drizzly rain at times.

"It doesn't really amount to too much - 1-2mm - during that eight-to ten-hour period when it will be moving through East Anglia."

Key non-runners

Newmarket
1.50 8 Run To Freedom

Goodwood
2.40 3 Magnificence

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Newmarket: can this up-and-coming trainer continue to make the game look easy?

2.05 Thirsk: 'The trip is perfect' – who could be in pole position scoop the Thirsk Hunt Cup?

2.25 Newmarket: Robbie Wilders reckons Godolphin's Dhahabi could prove better than a handicapper

2.40 Goodwood: can the class act and 'very exciting' Primo Bacio confirm her superiority?

3.00 Newmarket: can young Candy sprinter justify favouritsm and stake claim to sprint honours?

3.40 Newmarket: 'They are two very exciting colts' – 2,000 Guineas insight

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