Ouqba
supplements to Two Thousand Guineas
Trainer Barry Hills on Monday supplemented OUQBA (Red Ransom) into Saturday’s
Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) at Newmarket. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al
Maktoum’s impressive European Free H. over seven furlongs on April 15 was the
sole addition to the £400,000 classic, for
which 24 remained at Monday’s five-day stage.
“Barry Hills originally felt that the horse wasn’t up to winning the Two
Thousand Guineas, so he wasn’t given an entry and there was always a question
mark about his stamina,” Sheikh Hamdan’s Racing Manager Angus Gold told PA
Sport. “But he won the European Free Handicap in good style and he had plenty of
racing last year, so he’s experienced. Richard Hills rode him the other day and
feels that he will stay the trip. It’s hard to tell with the form because quite
a few horses haven’t run this season, but at this moment, it looks a very open
race. I think that Sheikh Hamdan felt that he would like another string to his
bow and I think that Ouqba could easily be in the frame on Saturday.”
The remainder of the field is headed by Craven S. (Eng-G3) winner DELEGATOR
(Dansili [GB]), whose participation is subject to ground conditions according to
trainer Brian Meehan. The April 16 course-and-distance trial scorer could yet be
rerouted to Longchamp for the May 10 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Fr-G1) if
underfoot conditions are considered too fast at Newmarket.
“Delegator has continued to work very well since the Craven and we were
delighted with his last piece of work this morning,” Meehan said Monday.
“However, we do have a real concern about fast ground at Newmarket. It is
pointless risking him if it is too quick when we have the option of Longchamp
and easier ground waiting for him next week. There is some rain forecast this
week and we will keep an eye on things. If it does not materialize to any great
extent, we will walk the course to see how things look before making a
decision.”
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for five potential runners headed by
MASTERCRAFTSMAN (Danehill Dancer) and RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo [Ire]), although
it is likely that SET SAIL (Danehill Dancer) and WESTPHALIA (Ire) (Danehill
Dancer) will head to France, while Jim Bolger has a duo in last year’s Dewhurst
S. (Eng-G1) hero INTENSE FOCUS (Giant’s Causeway) and Goffs Million runner-up
GAN AMHRAS (Galileo [Ire]). John Oxx is set to boost the Irish representation
with Futurity S. (Ire-G2) winner ARAZAN (Anabaa) and Beresford S. (Ire-G2)
scorer SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross [Ire]) with the proviso that the ground is not
too quick for the former, while Sir Michael Stoute has declared Horris Hill S.
(Eng-G3) winner EVASIVE (Elusive Quality).
Others include the Dewhurst second, third and fourth, respectively, LORD
SHANAKILL (Speightstown), FINJAAN (Royal Applause [GB]) and SHAWEEL (Dansili
[GB]). The latter is one of two declared by Godolphin alongside the Somerville
S. (Eng-G3) winner ASHRAM (Indian Haven).
As expected, Freddy Head has withdrawn Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Fr-G1) winner
Naaqoos (Oasis Dream [GB]) and he was the most notable scratching at this stage.