With Aidan O’Brien likely to send Group 1-winning juveniles, Henri Matisse and Camille Pissarro, to the French 2000 Guineas, TWAIN and Expanded may be his Newmarket representatives this term. Preference is firmly with the former - who is unbeaten in two outings - including an impressive success in the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud in October.

He is a half-brother to a Group 2 winner over a mile and the dam is a sister to an Irish Oaks winner, therefore the rise in trip is unlikely to be any barrier. Twain, despite going to this big race on first run of the season, must be feared by all, especially given the fact that the trainer’s last three winners in the race - Churchill, Saxon Warrior and Magna Grecia - all scored on their first runs of the season.

SHADOW OF LIGHT is certainly in with a strong chance of registering a third Group One success, following successes over 6f and 7f at this track last season. He can be upgraded from his Dewhurst win, having raced down the centre of the course, away from the front pair, before passing them close to the line.

Clearly a speedy type, he showed that he has the potential to stay a mile that day, and his pedigree backs that up - a half-brother to a mile winner, and his group-placed dam is a half-sister to a 1m2f scorer. Charlie Appleby has landed two out of the previous three runnings and it certainly appear like Shadow Of Light is his number one representative. 

JONQUIL has each-way credentials, following an excellent reappearance win in the G3 Greenham at Newbury. An impressive Sandown maiden winner, the Andrew Balding-trained runner disappointed in Listed company at Doncaster. Clearly a talented individual, he has reportedly been training positively in his new surroundings, following the switch from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard.

Juddmonte have a strong hand in this race - with current favourite and Craven winner, Field Of Gold and the unbeaten Cosmic Year - but Jonquil seems a shade overpriced at his double-figure odds, for a stable who have won two out of the previous five renewals.