UNLESS something goes badly wrong, Major Cadeaux (3.25) is surely going to be in the firing line for this afternoon's inaugural Classic of the season, the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket

Talking round figures it'll only take about 100 seconds to run the race, demonstrating the ephemeral nature of the sport, even though it does promise to be a real corker.

Despite the 11th-hour defection of red-hot ante-post favourite Teofilo, the strength-in-depth of the 24 colts is positively awesome, which should result in the emergence of a true champion.

Trained by Richard Hannon, twice successful via Don't Forget Me (1987) and Tirol (1990), Major Cadeaux scorched to victory in his Newbury trial, smashing up the odds-on Dutch Art with fuel to spare.

"We haven't had one like this for a while, they're getting fed up of me talking about him in the pub, but he's that good," said trainer's son Richard Hannon junior in aftermath of the Newbury demolition job.

Tactics-wise, the selection is versatile, however the one worry is the fast ground and therefore his ice-cool jockey, Richard Hughes, will doubtless initially concentrate on getting the horse nicely balanced.

Although Major Cadeaux is stepping up to a mile for the first time, he'll get the new trip no problem and has more to fear from Adagio compared with the extra furlong he has to travel.

Adagio was nothing short of explosive when taking his prep race by storm and it's going to take a good 'un to lower his colours, especially as his handler, Sir Michael Stoute, possesses a superb Guineas record.

Once unleashed by Aussie ace Kerrin McEvoy, Sir Michael's star flew up the hill over course and distance to collect last month's Craven Stakes in emphatic fashion.

The dogs had long been barking prior to that silky-smooth comeback and if it was a din before, the noise is now utterly deafening, since Adagio is 3-1 favourite in the wake of a welter of serious money.

If the two are, by chance, locked in battle at the death, I'd like to think Major Cadeaux would just have the edge on the acceleration stakes, Adagio being perhaps more of a Derby type.

Dreaming about a winner based in our region is arguably a fantasy too far, with Kevin Ryan's Evens And Odds (40), Richard Fahey's Fishforcompliments (200), and Neville Bycroft's Danum Dancer (500) all available at long odds.

If there is to be some cheer from this neck of the woods, Voodoo Moon (2.10) might well take the opener on what is a strong supporting card.

Mark Johnston's filly bravely made all to score on her Beverley return, a typically game performance which was no mean feat given she was under maximum pressure from some way out.

There's also reason to believe Fullandby (4.00) could have a say in the outcome of the Stan James Heritage Handicap.

Tim Etherington's Malton powerhouse was another to feature very prominently at Beverley on his return to action just under three weeks ago.

Reportedly "as big as a house" in the preliminaries, the dashing five-year-old belied that burly description by running a blinder in defeat to nab fifth spot from a lousy single-digit stall berth.

Having no chance in sprints from a low number draw is one of racing's worst-kept secrets, so in the circumstances Fullandby deserves enormous credit and warrants each-way support.

The 2006 2,000 Guineas was very much on the Nakheel's (5.45) agenda until he was cruelly robbed of an opportunity for glory by a pelvic injury.

It's hard to say whether the fracture has left a permanent scar on Nakeel's mindset, however it's true he's never regained the giddy heights of his unbeaten 2005 campaign.

One thing's for certain, if sheer equine beauty is anything to go by then the mile-and-a-half Handicap is definitely within the remit of the strikingly handsome son of Sadler's Wells.

Indian Ink (3.10) has a squeak of making it a weekend never to forget for team Hannon in tomorrow's 1,000 Guineas, while ten-to-follow pick, Tax Free (3.45), is fancied for the Group 3 Palace House Stakes.