THE Pertemps 1,000 Guineas odds on favourite Bosra Sham is set to face a maximum of 14 rivals in Sunday's big race at Newmarket. And long time 2,000 Guineas market leader Alhaarth is one of 18 declared for the first colts' Classic the previous afternoon.
The unbeaten Bosra Sham who continued her recovery from a minor setback with a final piece of serious work yesterday morning, is currently quoted at 2 to 5 for the 1,000 Guineas by William Hill.
She bruised a foot last Thursday but after a gallop on the Limekilns trainer Henry Cecil said. "She worked nicely. Everything so far is going satisfactorily."
The five fillies taken out of the 1,000 Guineas at yesterday's acceptance stage included Jim Bolger's Priory Belle and the Godolphin pair Shawanni and Phantorn Creek, the latter of whom had been Frankie Dettori's booked mount. The champion jockey may now partner Maid For The Hills.
There were no surprises among the seven withdrawals from the 2,000 Guineas. Ian Balding has taken out Tagula while Mark Johnston did not declare Polar Eclipse who was firmly put in, his place by stable companion Bijou D'Inde in a gallop at Ripon on Sunday.
Alhaarth's owner Hamdan Al Maktoum has left in Elshabiba Masehaab and Mawwal as possible pacemakers for the favourite.
Racing manager Angus Gold said. "Nothing has been sorted out yet. Sheikh Hamdan said to leave all the horses in and we will talk about it later in the week."
Willie Carson will ride Alhaarth, while Richard Hills is on standby for one of the Sheikh's other runners.
Bint Shadayid and Bint Salsabil once thought a possible defector in favour of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches have both been left in the 1,000 Guineas.
Gold said. "No final decision has been made but it is now much more likely that both fillies will run at Newmarket."
Neville Callaghan remains happy about the prospects of his 2,000 Guineas candidate Danehill Dancer.
The Newmarket trainer said Danehill Dancer is fine. They're putting plenty of water on at Newmarket but we could do with some, rain. However it will be much better ground than it was for the Craven meeting so there will be no excuses.
Danchill Dancer is to be ridden in the Guineas by Michael Kinane, having been partnered by Pat Eddery when making a winning reappearance at Newbury.
Corals have eased Danehill Dancer two points to 10 to 1 and their spokesman Rob Hartnett said "Danchill Dancer is out two points because ever since Mr, Eddery jumped off him we haven't seen a copper coin.
He put up a very good performance in the Greenham but all the comments since have been negative rather than positive. He's one we can't seem to lay."
Richard Hannon is seeking a jockey for his 2,000 Guineas hope Regiment. John Reid, who won the Easter Stakes at Kempton on the colt's reappearance rides Classic second favourite Beauchamp King and possible partners Richard Quinn and Richard Hughes have both been ruled out of the reckoning.
Quinn has been claimed by Paul Cole to ride Leonine, a 66 to 1 shot with Ladbrokes and owner Fahd Salman's second string to Storm Trooper, while Hughes is to ride Tumbleweed Ridge for Brian Meehan.
