Racing: Hannon to make Guineas capital with Asset

The first President of the United States once observed that "it is better to offer no excuse than a bad one", and those associated with the colt named in his honour evidently share that sentiment. George Washington remains hot favourite for the Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket today and nobody at his stable seems remotely interested in the tempting range of alibis already available - the latest of which is a foot injury suffered by his jockey at Tipperary on Thursday evening.

Kieren Fallon confines himself to this one ride today, and it may yet prove that the stakes are too high in the first Classic of the season for his employers to tolerate undue risk. After all, they need only promote Messrs Kinane or Murtagh, who are already riding in their cause.

There are better reasons to be wary of George Washington, most obviously the subdued form of the stable this season.

Admittedly, much the same applied last year when Aidan O'Brien promptly won two Classics in 24 hours. Then there is the question of this colt's temperament. He is a half-brother to Grandera, who was something of a mad genius, and while O'Brien talks affectionately of George Washington's "arrogance", his conduct seemed rather more sinister working at the Curragh last month. Reluctant to leave the parade ring, he darted through a gap in the rails when hacking down the track.

Above all, however, even the form that made him champion juvenile does not entitle him to be such a short price.

We have been here before. In 2003, another colt whose reputation at Ballydoyle was the stuff of breathless eulogy came over for his first start since winning the same élite juvenile races as George Washington. One Cool Cat later proved a smart sprinter, but never went a yard in the Guineas. The colt George Washington thrashed in his defining performance last year remains a maiden, and he surely needs a career best against this field.

His stablemate, Horatio Nelson, has apparently been backward this spring and would lay down a satisfactory marker for the rest of the season if matching Oratorio's fourth last year.

The home defence is headed by Sir Percy, who thwarted Horatio Nelson in the Dewhurst and has come to hand sooner than his trainer dared hope. It must be said, however, that he went through all five gears in a recent racecourse gallop before finally hitting his stride - and this race could easily develop into a test of raw speed.

If forecast thunderstorms do not appear, the going will be very fast indeed, and that should play into the hands of ASSET (3.50, nap). Richard Hannon has a sure touch in this race, having won it three times already, and believes this colt better than Lucky Lindy, Tamburlaine and Redback, all placed in recent years.

Nobody, moreover, must rely on chatter with Asset, who showed himself primed for a new peak with a scintillating performance in the Easter Stakes at Kempton.

That was supposed to be a poor race, but the colt he pulverised there has since finished second in the Italian Guineas. Asset did not show his true colours in soft ground on his final start last year, but his molten acceleration will be hard to match if conditions remain fast.

With reservations over the stamina or quality of the others, much the best alternative is Olympian Odyssey at 25-1.

Though his trainer wanted to run him in an Epsom trial next, he certainly did not look short of pace when desperately unlucky on his reappearance.

The Classic is sandwiched by two frantic sprints. Majestic Missile will win a top prize this season but, with proven fitness, Beckermet (2.35) looks fair value at 18-1 for the Stan James Palace House Stakes.

He showed blazing pace over six furlongs on his reappearance - a performance he could not reproduce just four days later - and could relish this drop in trip. The six-furlong handicap is full of potential for the months ahead, notably in Kenmore. But this might be the time to catch Woodcote (3.50), who excelled on the July Course last summer and may prove less headstrong now that he has been gelded.

Chris McGrath

Nap: Asset (Newmarket 3.15)

NB: Major Cast

(Haydock 2.25)

Gosden's Nannina has stamina to triumph in fillies' Classic

Fillies tend to reflect the weather rather more than colts and the recent sunshine may not have banished the legacy of a cold spring from the Stan James 1,000 Guineas (3.30) tomorrow. With most of the field unraced this season, the second Classic of the weekend is a minefield, writes Chris McGrath.

John Gosden has warned that Nannina is yet to bloom, but she remains one of the few with proven stamina. Of those to have run, Nasheej had a very hard trial, though at least the wayward Speciosa has been drawn low - a relief to all after she veered to the stands' rail in the Nell Gwyn.

Kieren Fallon, again just taking one mount tomorrow to protect his injured foot, sides with the longstanding favourite, Rumplestiltskin over Race For The Stars. In recent days, however, bookmakers report most interest in Flashy Wings. Those eager for a bet should instead concentrate on the Stan James UK.com Jockey Club Stakes (2.50). Hard Top found the St Leger in heavy ground too gruelling but he has been flourishing on the gallops and, very lightly raced, could develop into one of the stars of the season.

Brother Derek, favourite for the 132nd Kentucky Derby, must overcome a wide draw at Churchill Downs today, though the best value may rest with Sweetnorthernsaint and A.P. Warrior.