Weekend Preview: Camelot king of the castle at HQ?

18 runners have been declared for the 2000 Guineas on Saturday, with Camelot heading the market for what looks an up-to-scratch renewal. Camelot, who is rated 117P by Timeform, has been the ante-post favourite for both the Guineas and Derby since running out and impressive winner of the RP Trophy last season and, if he returns in similar form, he will be difficult to beat. He doesn't head the ratings, however, with Trumpet Major and Caspar Netscher both considered superior to Aidan O Brien's charge based on bare form. The duo have taken the major Guineas trials in recent weeks, with the former a five-length winner of the Craven Stakes over course and distance, whilst the latter landed the Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

The contest has a strong French flavour to it this year with French Fifteen, Abtaal and Hermival all making their way across the Channel, the last-named trained by 2010 winner Mikel Delzangles.

The Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over a mile and a half stakes is the highlight on the Newmarket undercard, with last season's Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase winner Dunaden in the line-up. St Leger winner Masked Marvel looks the best chance for the British and he will be hoping to get his career back on track after a disappointing run in last season's Arc. Meandre currently heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, however, considered 3 lb superior to his nearest rival based on his performance in the 2011 running of the Grand Prix de Paris. Fiorente is another in the field to ensure the race is even more compelling and the lightly-raced four-year-old could possibly prove the best of the runners as the season progresses.

The Group 3 Palace House Stakes over five furlongs completes the pattern action at Newmarket on Saturday with Margot Did heading a field of 18. There are plenty in the field to ensure last season's Nunthorpe winner doesn't have it all her own way, however, with Mayson, Masamah and Hamish McGonagall all live contenders.

A class 2 handicap gets racing underway at HQ with the likes of Fury, Circumvent and Mia's Boy all in the line-up for one of the most competitive races of the afternoon. Memory Cloth currently heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, however, having landed a victory at Ripon last time.

There is further racing on the Flat from both Thirsk and Goodwood on Saturday afternoon with the latter boasting the stronger card of the two. The listed Daisy Warwick Stakes, run over a mile and a half and due off at 14:15, looks to be the highlight, with Sir Henry Cecil's Vita Nova set to go to post. The Conqueror Stakes has also attracted a strong field, with Barefoot Lady and Neutrafa lining up.

Saturday's Flat racing is completed by an evening meeting at Doncaster where Sentaril and Silverheels go head to head over seven furlongs. The majority of other races are handicaps, although there are two interesting maidens that could throw up a decent winner.

An afternoon jumps meeting at Uttoxeter and an evening jumps meeting at Hexham complete the racing schedule for Saturday.

All eyes will be on Newmarket again on Sunday with the 1000 Guineas due off at 15:15. Maybe (117p) shades the Timeform ratings after winning all five of her juvenile starts with her campaign culminating in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes. Discourse and Moonstone Magic are only considered 1 lb inferior to the favourite based on Timeform ratings, however, with the former a runaway winner of last season's Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes before a setback curtailed the remainder of her season, and the latter an easy winner of the Fred Darling Stakes last month.

Lyric of Light and Lightening Pearl are the two other Group 1 winners in the line-up for what looks a mouth-watering renewal.

The Group 3 Dahlia Stakes is the other pattern race taking place at Newmarket on Sunday and it has attracted Group 1 winners Golden Lilac and Timepiece. Golden Lilac has won five of her six starts so far including a victory over Galikova in the Prix de Diane. Timepiece, the winner of last season's Falmouth Stakes, will provide stiff opposition, however, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in a field that also features Izzi Top, Law of The Range and Khawlah.

The listed Pretty Polly Stakes is the highlight of the remainder of racing at Newmarket with Lacily, Salford Art and Hazel Lavery set to put their Epsom Oaks credentials on the line in race over ten furlongs.

There is also Flat racing at both Hamilton and Salisbury on Sunday with the latter possessing what appears to be the stronger card. The fillies' minor event due off at 14:55 looks a fair race for the grade and has attracted the likes of Tassel and Effie B .

There is also a seven-raced mixed card at Gowran Park over in Ireland, whilst Sligo hosts a seven-race National Hunt meeting.

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Click HERE to read Timeform's 2000 Guineas runner-by-runner guide.

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