Racing: St Nicholas Abbey popular with punters

St Nicholas Abbey, a general 6-4 favourite for Saturday's British 2000 Guineas, is among 22 horses left in the Newmarket Classic at Monday's five-day entry stage.

He is joined by Aidan O'Brien-trained stablemates Fencing Master and Viscount Nelson.

Second-favourite Elusive Pimpernel, an impressive winner of the Craven Stakes and runner-up to St Nicholas Abbey in the Racing Post Trophy, has also been left in the race, as have Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs, separated by half a length in Dick Turpin's favour in the Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes last time.

Other leading contenders to stand their ground are Awzaan, Inler and Xtension.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Awzaan's owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, told the Racing Post yesterday: "Awzaan has never run beyond six furlongs but both [trainer] Mark Johnston and [jockey] Richard Hills feel that a mile is well within his capabilities.

"We kept him at six furlongs last season because he had the speed for that distance - he quickened so well in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes.

"He hasn't had a run this year. Mark felt that, by giving him four races last season, the horse had gained plenty of experience and didn't need a run. Richard has been up to Middleham once and the horse came down to Newmarket to have a racecourse gallop.

"That was all fine-tuning and Awzaan is now back to his racing weight. He is small, but that is the way he was made and if he is good enough, he is big enough. Richard will plan to switch him off in the race and he will hopefully come with a good run and win.

"This horse has done nothing wrong. He fooled me all the way last season and proved that he is a top-class horse."

Al Zir, cut to 12-1 from 14-1 by Paddy Power on Monday, is one of three confirmed Godolphin entries for the colts' classic.