[NoChanceToDance]

From Racing Post......

by Keith Hamer


GODOLPHIN hope to have two runners in the Stanjamesuk.com 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday but are in no hurry to decide which of their three possibles will represent them.

Ibn Khaldun, Rio De La Plata and Fast Company were among 19 left in the Classic at the five-day confirmation stage.

"They are all in good form, but there's no decision yet about the three runners. We will decide soon, there's plenty of time," said trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

The trio are reported to be fit and well after spending the winter in Dubai and have only been back in Newmarket for a few days.

Racing Post Trophy winner Ibn Khaldun is the shortest of the three in the ante-post market behind hot favourite New Approach, who had the former Brian Meehan-trained Fast Company and Rio De La Plata back in second and fourth places respectively when winning the Dewhurst Stakes.

"Fast Company worked today and we are happy with him," BinSuroor went on.

"Since he joined Godolphin in November he has never shown a lot in the morning. Ibn Khaldun and Rio De La Plata have shown a turn of foot and plenty of speed.

"We are happy with all three of them, they are sound and healthy and willhave a blow-out later in the week."

Connections of Fireside hope the colt can overcome his relative inexperience when he steps up to Group 1 company.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's charge had just two runs as a two-year-old and was unable to have a prep run in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

"He's in very good form. We were very disappointed we couldn't run him in the Greenham at Newbury," said Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
"He took a test beforehandand we found he had some muck in his throat. Obviously we couldn't run him with that so we missed the trial which was annoying because he's a horse that is going very well at home.

"There's been a lot of support for him in recent weeks but he's just lacking that bit of experience. An extra race would have put him spot on experience-wise. He's fit enough, that is not an issue, but I would have loved him to have had another race.

"However, Peter's thrilled with him. He worked very well on Saturday with a couple of older horses at level weights, including a Listed horse that's rated in the 90s. He went clear of him which is very good form.

"We know he's a very good horse - whether he's good enough we need to find out and it looks like being a hell of a Guineas.

"We are thrilled with this horse and he's always shown an awful lot."

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Perfect Stride was put through his paces ahead of a possible tilt at the colts' classic.

"He worked this morning and I think Sir Michael is pretty pleased with him," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail.

"I can't say he's a definite runner yet, but obviously working this morning he's heading in that direction, we think."

It had been hoped to run the twice-raced son of Oasis Dream in the Craven Stakes over the course and distance but he suffered a slight setback.

"He missed the Craven because he bumped his hock. He was a bit sore on it, but he's OK again now," added Raymond.

"He's done extremely well over the winter and is a much stronger horse this year."