Klimt heads O’brien’s Guineas team

● Leopardstown trial winner could give Irish trainer his ninth win in colts’ classic

Gustav Klimt and Saxon Warrior are among four fiveday acceptors from the Aidan O’brien stable as the Ballydoyle trainer bids to win the Qipco 2000 Guineas for a ninth time at Newmarket on Saturday.

O’brien already has the most wins by a trainer in the colts’ Classic and Gustav Klimt, winner of the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on his reappearance, heads his strong team.

Last season’s Superlative Stakes scorer is supported by Racing Post Trophy victor Saxon Warrior, US Navy Flag, who has disappointed twice since landing the Dewhurst Stakes in October, and Murillo.

The home challenge is headed by Craven winner Masar, from Charlie Appleby’s stable, and the Mark Johnstontrained Elarqam.

The latter is a product of two Guineas winners, the mighty Frankel and the brilliant Attraction. He won both his starts last season and looks an exciting prospect.

“The only doubt maybe is that he’s not as experienced as some of his rivals,” Johnston’s son and assistant, Charlie, told At The Races.

“He’s had two runs and that’s part of the reason he’s been to Newmarket for a racecourse gallop, to get a bit more experience and look around the place.

“We are very confident in our horse and we wouldn’t swap him for anything.”

The Johnston team are also represented by Cardsharp.

Connections of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Expert Eye are hoping for good ground for the Acclamation colt, who went some way to restoring his reputation following his flop in the Dewhurst when second in the Greenham Stakes.

“I think we took a lot of positives from it. He behaved well and he went into the stalls well,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

“They didn’t go a great pace. He did pull a little bit, but not badly. Ryan (Moore) was relatively complimentary. He was happy with the horse and said not to be too disappointed.

“Heworkedonsundaymorning, worked nicely, smoothly under Andrea Atzeni. Everyone seemed very happy.

“Idon’tthinkhewouldwanta lot of rain. I know there’s some early in the week, but it should be nice later on.

“The weather will be a factor eventually on his participation. We would hope, under normal circumstances, for good ground and we’d definitely want to go.”

Meanwhile, ante-post favourite Happily is one of 18 fillies confirmed for Sunday’s Qipco 1000 Guineas.

Aidan O’brien’s charge won four of seven juvenile starts, including successive Group One triumphs in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Prix Jean-luc Lagardere at Chantilly. She disappointed on her most recent appearance at the Breeders’ Cup, but is the general 5-2 market leader to provide O’brien with a fifth victory in the first fillies’ Classic of the campaign.

The Ballydoyle maestro has whittled his team down to five, with Bye Bye Baby, I Can Fly, Sarrocchi and Sizzling his other contenders. September is a notable absentee.

Charlie Appleby has left in Group One-winning filly Wild Illusion and has supplemented impressive Nell Gwyn heroine Soliloquy at a cost of £30,000.