Guineas preview: Something usually has to fill the hype horse role in the UltimatePoker.com 2,000 Guineas and there is no doubt the Godolphin star Dubawi has been waiting in the wings all winter for his cue to take centre stage this afternoon.
Already a Group One winner from last year's National Stakes, and continuing the bloodline of Sheikh Mohammed's beloved Dubai Millennium, Dubawi appears to have the required credentials and certainly is in possession of a sky-high reputation.
But the Rowley mile is the first Classic test of such reputations and Godolphin's great rivals at Ballydoyle found out last year with One Cool Cat that it can brutally expose any chink in the armour.
Freed from the pressures of preparing such a favourite, Aidan O'Brien has been in notably relaxed form ahead of an attempt at following in the Guineas hoofprints of King Of Kings (1998) and Rock Of Gibraltar (2002.)
Footstepsinthesand is the choice of Kieren Fallon over Oratario and while the chances of winning with either are perfectly realistic, O'Brien is typically, even now, thinking further ahead.
"Everything went fine with their final blow on Tuesday and they are in good form," he said yesterday. "We will be delighted if they run well and then go on from there. I would expect both of them to improve a nice bit from the run."
Jim Bolger saddles the other Irish hope Democratic Deficit who will have the benefit of having already won the Craven on the course two weeks ago.
Much of the build-up has centred on how those immediately behind, Rob Roy and Iceman, were unlucky and how much they would improve, but Democratic Deficit came from last in a slowly run race and his chance cannot be discounted.
Ultimately, however, this Guineas appears to be about Dubawi and whether he is the real Classic deal. Already there has been speculation about his Derby prospects and even whispers about him being a potential Triple Crown candidate. It will all sound a little hollow if Frankie Dettori cannot get him home in front today.
Senor Benny in the six-furlong handicap and Bolger's Clash Of The Ash in the 10-furlong Listed race also run today and there will be substantial Irish interest in tomorrow's 1,000 Guineas as well.
Damson's late withdrawal during the week means Fallon switches to Virgina Waters who will try to fill in the one blank on Aidan O'Brien's English Classic CV.
The Moyglare runner-up Pictavia, Frances Crowley's Saoire and Slip Dance from Eamon Tyrrell's small Curragh yard will also take on a home team that is large in quantity but possibly short on quality.
