Al Wukair has Fabre quietly confident

Master French trainer Andre Fabre is expecting a very bold show from Al Wukair in the Qipco 2000 Guineas on Saturday.

Unbeaten at two, he reappeared this season in the notable French trial, the Prix Djebel, where he easily disposed of a Group One winner in National Defense.

Fabre has not won the opening classic of the season since Pennekamp struck gold in 1995, but feels Al Wukair has the qualities needed to secure him a third Guineas.

“Al Wukair did his final piece of work before the 2000 Guineas this morning and I was happy with everything,” said Fabre.

“I am quite confident that he will be in the first three on Saturday, but I am a bit concerned that he was not a Group One winner as a twoyear-old, something that most Guineas winners have already achieved, including both of mine (Zafonic and Penne-kamp).

“I gave Al Wukair quite a light two-year-old campaign on purpose as my horses had a little problem with a virus last season, so I did not want to force them.”

Al Wukair is one of 12 colts left in at the five-day stage, along with ante-post favourite Churchill.

His trainer Aidan O’Brien is looking for an eighth win in the classic, which would make him the most successful trainer in the race’s history.

“He seems fine at the moment. Everything went well and it’s so far so good with him,” the Ballydoyle handler said of Churchill.

O’Brien, who was last successful with Gleneagles in 2015, could also run Lancaster Bomber, Peace Envoy and Spirit Of Valor, but there was no Caravaggio among the confirmations.

Churchill is the 6-4 favourite with Coral, ahead of Al Wukair at 7-2.