Al Wukair storms into Guineas picture

Al Wukair’s impressive Prix Djebel victory at Maisons-Laffitte yesterday catapulted Al Shaqab’s unbeaten colt into the reckoning for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket next month, and he is now 8-1 second-favourite.

The André Fabre-trained son of Dream Ahead had looked smart in two starts last year, and was the odds-on favourite for his return to action in this seven-furlong contest.

Gregory Benoist oozed confidence, settling his mount at the rear of the seven-strong field before pulling out wide and delivering a blistering challenge. He soon hit the front, with the minimum of fuss, and registered an authoritative success over National Defense, a Group One winner last year.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for the owners, said: “I wasn’t there, but I watched the race and have spoken to the team, and he was clearly very impressive. He is still a little bit green and there was some ring-rustiness there, but the acceleration he has is so exciting – he has a fantastic turn of foot. He does it all so easily at home, and is held in very high regard by André. I think he’s a very exciting colt, and all being well he’ll be aimed for the English 2,000 Guineas.”

Fabre, who has won the 2,000 Guineas twice, with Zafonic (1993) and Pennekamp (1995), said: “I’m very pleased. He is a very different horse to Zafonic. He was like a powerful bull. This is a more laidback horse, but he has a beautiful action and a lot of class.”

Fair Eva is set to head straight to the Qipco 1,000 Guineas. The Roger Charlton-trained daughter of Frankel impressed in her first two starts last year, before finishing third in the Lowther Stakes at York and second in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.

Harry Charlton, assistant to his father, said: “She won’t have a prep run. She will go straight to the Guineas. She went to Kempton last week and worked well. You invariably have a hard race in a trial. Physically she has done very well. She has grown and put on a lot of weight, and mentally she is good. ”