Trends for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket

Three of the last four winners of the Qipco 2000 Guineas had raced either five or six times prior to winning the Newmarket Classic.

The exception had three starts, as had two others in the last decade, and two more had raced just twice.

A lack of experience can't be deemed a strong negative for the Barney Roy, Eminent and Dream Castle but given the majority of winners have seen more action, it certainly isn't a positive.

In contrast, CHURCHILL has been to the races on six occasions and has won all five starts since finishing third on debut, including the Group One Dewhurst Stakes when last seen.

Victory would see trainer Aidan O'Brien hold the outright record for the number of victories in the 2000 Guineas, taking his haul to eight and four in 10 years.

Andre Fabre has won two renewals and his unbeaten challenger, Al Wukair, showed a good turn of foot in winning the Prix Djebel, a race won by the French-trained 2010 winner Makfi.

Fabre has an excellent record with his Newmarket raiders as one would expect and the son of Dream Ahead, who beat Group One Lagardere winner National Defense last time, is obviously a key player.

It is hard to knock the claims of Churchill though and the Ballydoyle colt can justify favouritism.

- Winners have been priced between 1/2 and 40/1 with five returned at 8/1 or shorter.

- Four favourites have been successful with a further three finishing second.

- Seven winners were making their seasonal reappearance; two exceptions won their prep races, the other finished second.

- Winners had had between two and six career starts.

- Eight of the winners had won at Group Three level or above with the exceptions finishing third in a Group Two & second in a Group Three.

- Four winners were unbeaten, none had been beaten more than twice.

- Nine winners had raced over seven furlongs.

- Five winners had won their previous start, two of the exceptions were placed in Group Two & Group Three contests and two in Group Ones.