Guineas News:Connections of US Ranger are confident they have made a sensible decision in supplementing the well-backed colt for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.
It cost £25,000 to add the unbeaten Jean-Claude Rouget-trained runner to the 29 other horses who remain entered in the first Classic of the season at the five-day stage.
But he had already caught the attention of punters following a dazzling four-length victory in the Prix Djebel a few weeks ago and is around the 6 to 1 third-favourite behind long-time market leader Teofilo and Adagio.
US Ranger pleased in a final work-out at his base in south-west France, confirming the move by joint-owners Michael Tabor and Joseph Allen.
Andy Smith, who looks after the European interests of Allen, said: "The work he did at Pau at the weekend was certainly a great catalyst to supplementing him, although it had always been a goal to run in the Guineas and he was only not entered originally because of a clerical error.
"A 50 per cent share of him was sold to Michael Tabor and partners during the winter and it was a joint decision (to supplement) and also a business decision for his future.
"It's a big step, but he won three races over a mile in the Provinces as a two-year-old without being extended and he did win so easily at Maisons-Laffitte over seven furlongs that he deserves to take his chance.
"He has a nice daisy-cutting action and Christophe Lemaire, who went down to Pau to ride him, was suitably impressed and has been booked to ride."
Another springer in the Guineas market has been Diamond Tycoon, who will have the assistance of Jamie Spencer as he bids to realise a dream for 250 members of the Racegoers Club.
Second on his debut at Newmarket at the end of the last campaign, the Brian Meehan-handled colt was slashed in the Classic betting after bolting up by six lengths in a Newbury maiden.Paul Smith, the club's racing secretary, said: "He's on course for the race. He worked this morning and it went okay. As long as he remains fine, he'll run."
Aidan O'Brien still has the choice of running Duke Of Marmalade, Eagle Mountain, Mount Nelson and Yellowstone to take the race for a third year in a row.
Criquette Head-Maarek hopes Magic America can take the French trainer's tally to four victories in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday. Magic America's most recent success came over seven furlongs in the hands of Johnny Murtagh, who again takes the ride in the 1000 Guineas.
