The first two classics of 2006 promise to mouthwatering fare, with the early entries littered with all the big juvenile names from last season. A year on and having had the opportunity to strengthen up over the winter months, this years classic crop could be a vintage generation.

The Stan James 1,000 Guineas - Sunday 7th May
We could be set for a huge field at Newmarket on May 7th, as 85 fillies are currently engaged with just over a month prior to the race.

The Ballydoyle contingent is sure to be strong, although Aidan O’ Brien is sure to only select two or three from his nine entrants. Rumplestiltskin heads the betting and is almost certain to be one of his contenders, having ended last term as champion two-year-old filly after Group One triumphs in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp. Stablemate's that are being touted to accompany her are Alexandrova and Race For The Stars.

John Gosden, who has recently vacated Manton and returned to Newmarket, has his classy filly Nannina entered. "Having won the Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile last season, she has some of the strongest form on offer and is a tempting ante post bet at around 8/1."

Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor - will be attempting to win their third 1000 Guineas and this year’s challenge is spearheaded by Silca’s Sister, who was formerly trained by Mick Channon and already a Group 1 winner, following success in the Prix Morny from Ivan Denisovich last term. I like this horse a lot and think that Godolphin may have bought a real superstar filly in the making.

The unbeaten trio of Dubai On, Taranto and Emily Bronte are likely to be the supporting cast for Silca’s Sister and whichever one Kerrin McEvoy decides to ride is no forlorn hope.

La Chunga beat Rumplestiltskin last term when triumphing in the Group Three Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, for Jeremy Noseda from stablemate Vague who has won her last two outings in Dubai. Both are interesting prospects, although the latter may be heading to the USA, for a tilt at the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in preference to Newmarket.

Despite seeing Silca’s Sister leave his yard, Mick Channon has another very useful filly in the way of Flashy Wings, winner of her first four starts, including the Queen Mary Stakes and the Lowther Stakes, prior to a couple of defeats at the back end of the season. Talk is that she has wintered well and is on target to line up at Newmarket.

Sir Mark Prescott has Group Three winners Confidential Lady and Violette, the former was very progressive last year and likes to dominate things form the front - a very tough thing to do at Newmarket.

The unexposed quartet of Queen’s Best, Scottish Stage, Wasseema and Sindirana could represent Sir Michael Stoute. Whilst Henry Cecil will be bidding to resurrect the glory days at Warren Place and win his seventh 1000 Guineas with his very smart filly Star Cluster who defeated Deveron on her only start. This one could be a very shrewd each-way investment at 33/1.

Mostaqeleh could line up for trainer John Dunlop and Sheik Hamdan Al Maktoum, could be represented by Mostaqeleh and Nidhaal, trained respectively by father and son trainers John and Ed Dunlop.

Robert Collet’s New Girlfriend, winner of the Prix Robert Papin look to be a live contender from France.

The Stan James 2,000 Guineas - Saturday 6th May
24 hours earlier over the same course and distance the pick of Europe’s finest three-year-old colts will be doing battle and again we are likely to see a big field on the Rowley Mile.

Much revolves around the Ballydoyle participants. George Washington, a dual Group 1 winner following his impressive victories in both the Phoenix Stakes and the National Stakes at The Curragh, has been the long time ante post favourite and is almost certain to line up, along with his fellow Group 1 winning stablemate Horatio Nelson, victorious in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp in October.

The O’Brien entry is complicated by other high class entries that include July Stakes victor Ivan Denisovich and Group Three winners Hurricane Cat, Frost Giant and Aussie Rules. There has been good word about the wellbeing of the latter named horse.

Marcus Tregoning’s Sir Percy heads the home defence after four wins from as many starts last term, his defeat Horatio Nelson in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes, looks rock solid form and at 8/1 he is the value call amongst the market leaders.

Godolphin’s have thirteen still entered, but their challenge will most likely come from end-of season purchases Opera Cape and Racing Post Trophy first and second, Palace Episode and Winged Cupid, or impressive Newbury maiden winner With Interest.

City Of Troy will be Sir Michael Stoute’s main contender, whilst Mark Johnston’s has a quartet of possible's in Nakheel, the Group Three 32Red.com Sirenia Stakes victor Prince Of Light, Atlantic Waves and Black Charmer.

Kevin Ryan, who gained his first Group 1 success as a trainer last year, will be hoping to add to his tally with his very useful Middle Park Stakes victor Amadeus Wolf.

HORSE TALK ante post selections

With no value in the market leaders in either contest, it is a case of looking towards likely improvers, that have strong form from their juvenile season. The trio of fillies fit this profile most readily, are Nannina, Silca’s Sister and Vague, if she takes her chance.

Of the colts, Amadeus Wolf looked like a horse to follow this term, as did Sir Percy who has been the subject of some glowing reports from the Marcus Tregoning yard. Were Aussie Rules to be declared, he could well be worth a second look, as Aidan O’Brien’s outsiders are never far away.