Camelot is a short-priced favourite to succeed the great Frankel in Saturday’s 2000 Guineas and provide his Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a sixth success in the English classic.
Camelot assumed command of the pre-post market after following up his debut win at Leopardstown last July with an impressive success in his only other start, the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October.
That performance and O’Brien’s formidable record means he is a cramped 6-4, yet the trainer struck a cautious note when quizzed about Camelot, mindful of his experience with St Nicholas Abbey two years ago.
A son of Montjeu like Camelot St, Nicolas Abbey was sent off even money favourite only to trail in sixth and lose his way.
“He lost his brilliance in the spring of his three-year-old career, maybe because we tried to force him,” O’Brien said.
“It’s only coming back now. He lost it all. It’s only now he’s starting to quicken like a top horse again.”
O’Brien said he would not make the same mistake with Camelot.
“It’s so far, so good, but we won’t force him to do anything,” he said.
“We’ve always had one eye on the Guineas and we’re looking at the race.
“Everything is going smooth so far but I’m afraid to commit him. If there’s any question then he won’t be there. If all those boxes are ticked he’ll run.”
Despite his evident ability it will be asking a lot of the son of Montjeu to go anywhere close to matching the way Frankel blitzed his rivals 12 months ago.
Ireland has a stranglehold on the betting with former champion Sea The Star’s half brother Born to Sea next best in the market at a top priced 8-1.
Sea The Stars used the Guineas as a platform for wins in the Derby at Epsom and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Trained like his illustrious relation by John Oxx, Born to Sea was runner-up on his second start last autumn.
He is followed in the market by Abtaal, one of four raiders from France.
The home defence is headed by the Roger Charlton-trained Top Offer, like the aforementioned trio unraced at three, and Trumpet Major, winner of the Craven Stakes, a traditional Guineas warm-up.
Noticeable by their absence will be the royal blue colours of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin stable after trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni elected not to run Mandaean and Mighty Ambition.
O’Brien also fields the short-priced favourite for Sunday’s 1000 Guineas in the shape of Maybe, unbeaten in six starts in a juvenile campaign that included wins at Royal Ascot and a Group One at the Curragh on her last appearance eight months ago.
