Mohaather Likely to Contest Two Thousand Guineas

Mohaather's connections have said he has earned the right to test his group 1 credentials and stamina in the May 4 QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket after his April 13 success in the Watership Down Stud Greenham Stakes (G3).

The Marcus Tregoning-trained colt's owner, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will make the final decision after the classic trials at Newmarket this week, but his racing manager, Angus Gold, was upbeat about the possibility April 14.

"He's earned the right to go for the Guineas," Gold said. "He quickened like a fast horse on Saturday and has won two group 3s.

"I spoke to Gaie Johnson Houghton (Mohaather's breeder), and she thought he would get a mile as he's relaxed. I would say Sheikh Hamdan would like to give it a go depending on what happens next week."

If Mohaather proves short in the stamina department at Newmarket, the plan would be to drop back to his winning trip of seven furlongs for the Jersey Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot.

Sheikh Hamdan is unlikely to have a contender in the April 17 bet365 Craven Stakes (G3), which is a traditional Guineas trial, despite Almashriq holding an entry in the group 3 over a mile at Newmarket.

"He's more likely to go for the conditions race over (seven furlongs) on Thursday rather than the Craven, but we'll look at both races," Gold said. "He's always been a nice horse but coughed for a long time last year, which held him up, and he didn't run until the all-weather. He's potentially exciting and might want further."

The John Gosden-trained Almashriq, who is generally 33-1 for the Two Thousand Guineas, comfortably justified odds-on favoritism on his debut in a seven-furlong novice race at Newcastle at the beginning of December.