The first Classics of the season arrive at Newmarket this weekend with the Betfred 2000 Guineas taking centre stage on Saturday at 3.35pm. Following a raft of non-runners, Aidan O'Brien's Gstaad looks set to assume market favouritism after being reintroduced to the contest following an accidental withdrawal. The mile contest at Headquarters represents the opening salvo of the British Classic season.

Kate Tracey is taking on the favourites with Distant Storm for Charlie Appleby, pointing to the Godolphin team's proven record in the race with Ruling Court and Notable Speech. The colt is by Night Of Thunder, who won the 2000 Guineas himself. Meanwhile, Sam Boswell backs unbeaten three-time winner Bow Echo for George Boughey, while Declan Rix fancies the unexposed King's Trail, who has won both his starts at Kempton.

Distant Storm was too keen in the Acomb at York but impressed at Newmarket before running creditably in the Dewhurst behind the ill-fated Gewan. Bow Echo beat Publish at Haydock and remains unbeaten in three starts at two. With Gstaad's late entry into the market, the race has become one of the most competitive renewals in recent years.