You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out that Aidan O'Brien is the trainer to concentrate on when it comes to the 2000 Guineas. The trainer has won three of the past four runnings and looks to have a strong hand this time round with RIP VAN WINKLE (9/2 Skybet, Stan James) and Mastercraftsman (5/1 Coral), who are vying for favouritism.

The pair have dominated the market for some time with Rip Van Winkle the winter favourite until news came out of his setback in January, after which he was usurped by his stablemate Mastercraftsman. The latter had looked very good indeed last season when winning the 6f Group 1 Phoenix Stakes in scintillating style, but his form tailed off after that. He only scrambled home by a nose in the 7f National Stakes, albeit in desperate ground, and was well stuffed in France on his final start by Naaqoos, who has let the form down since. Even allowing for the possibility that he was over the top there, he doesn't strike me as a Guineas winner.

On the other hand, Rip Van Winkle looks much classier and recent money suggests that he's the stable No.1. The pair worked together last Friday at Ballydoyle and, while they finished upsides, my mole who observed the gallop was left in no doubt that Rip Van Winkle was in the dominance. Yes, he was well beaten in the Dewhurst Stakes last October when sent off the 6/4 favourite, but that was his first run for 86 days and I suspect that lack of peak fitness combined with his inexperience led to his downfall. If O'Brien had been able to get a run into him beforehand, I'm convinced we would have seen a different horse at Newmarket and you can bank on the Ballydoyle maestro having him ready to deliver when it really matters.

If Johnny Murtagh picks him over his stablemate, his price will collapse and I can see him taking over as favourite from Delegator (7/2 bet365). The latter was just over a length in front of the selection in the Dewhurst and has since hacked up in the Craven Stakes. The opposition wasn't that strong that day but Brian Meehan's colt could only beat what was put in front of him and he clearly has the speed to be effective. However, I've watched the video of that race several times and it's noticeable that he changed his legs several times in the dip and he might not quite be so effective on the faster ground he is likely to meet on Saturday.

As for the rest, Evasive (10/1 Coral) is respected on account of his trainer Sir Michael Stoute who has few peers when it comes to training Classic winners, as is Arazan (12/1 Ladbrokes), whose trainer John Oxx is not one for tilting at windmills. However, money talks in this game and when it comes to the big races no-one talks louder than the Ballydoyle operation, so take the hint and snap up the 9/2 while it lasts.

Recommended Bet:

Rip Van Winkle 3pts @ 9/2 Skybet, Stan James