Elarqam ready to enjoy 2000 Guineas glory

Johnston’s horse can foil O’Brien in 2000 Guineas

ELARQAM can foil Aidan O’Brien’s bid for a remarkable ninth 2000 Guineas success in 20 years by justifying the faith of connections in the Qipco-sponsored Classic at Newmarket.

Trainer Mark Johnston and his team have made no secret of the high regard they have for a horse who goes to headquarters unbeaten in two starts.

His lack of experience, particularly against the battle-hardened O’Brien horses, is a natural concern, but Elarqam does have course know-how, having won the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes over seven furlongs of the Rowley Mile in September.

And he had a racecourse gallop at Newmarket recently as part of his preparation.

There is no doubt Elarqam is bred to be a top-drawer performer, being the product of two Guineas winners – the mighty Frankel and Attraction.

That may not be a guarantee to success, but the signs so far suggest Elarqam has inherited plenty of ability and can emulate his parents by being a Classic winner himself. Gustav Klimt appears O’Brien’s number one hope, but it is generally folly to ignore any of his runners in races of this nature.

Recent John Porter Stakes winner DEFOE can justify the decision to supplement him for the Dunaden Jockey Club Stakes.

Roger Varian’s four-year-old impressed that day at Newbury and is giving his trainer the right signs.

DONNCHA can land a deserved victory in the Commission Free Racing At Matchbook Handicap at Goodwood.

Robert Eddery’s seven-year-old has just needed a bit of help from the assessor and he has now dropped to his last successful mark nearly of almost three years ago.

SELECTIONS: GOODWOOD: 1.35 Le Torrent, 2.05 Isabel De Urbina, 2.40 Donncha, 3.15 Bahamian Sunrise, 3.50 Nyaleti, 4.25 Qaroun, 5.00 Honey Man, 5.35 Liva.

NEWMARKET: 1.50 Another Eclipse, 2.20 Havana Grey, 2.55 Defoe, 3.35 ELARQAM (NAP), 4.10 Chagatai, 4.45 Petrus, 5.20 Symbolization.

DOUBLE: Elarqam and Donncha.