AMADEUS WOLF (3.15) possesses the perfect blend of speed and stamina to land a first-ever Classic for North Yorkshire's new kid on the block, Kevin Ryan.

Five years ago Ryan was scratching around with a bunch of horses little better than selling platers, but his meteoric rise to occupy the upper echelons of the training ranks means he now has a serious 2,000 Guineas contender.

Not since Mark Johnston landed the 1994 colts' Classic with Mr Baileys has our region boasted a runner with such compelling credentials as Amadeus Wolf, last year's winner of the six furlong Group 1 Middle Park Stakes.

"He's wintered well and I couldn't be happier with him. We'll find out on the day whether he stays a mile, personally I think he will, but if he doesn't then he can return to sprinting," explained Ryan.

Ryan's measured approach says a lot for his thoughtful nature, however, stable jockey Neil Callan, is far more bullish.

"Amadeus Wolf has been working out of skin, he's improved and looks a million dollars," said Callan. "I've no doubt he'll stay a mile, although you require luck in a race like the Guineas."

By a curious twist of fate Ryan's next door neighbour, Bryan Smart, also has an outside chance of bagging his inaugural classic via Misu Bond, currently best priced at 50-1 for the £330,000 showpiece.

Smart, the master of Hambleton House, has the utmost faith in the son of Danehill Dancer, who demonstrated he's no slouch with a blistering display to nab last month's European Free Handicap.

"I'm not worried about the others - my horse is ready to do his best," reported Smart, the son of a Barnsley coal miner who trains for influential independent owner, Marshall Tyres boss', Reg Bond.

Almost inevitably the national press has focussed on 7-4 market leader, Aidan O'Brien's unbeaten George Washington, hard-on-the-heels of a ton of hype surrounding second favourite, Marcus Tregoning's 3-1 shot, Sir Percy.

Both the O'Brien and Tregoning camps warrant maximum respect, although the value has long gone with their respective entries, unlike Amadeus Wolf, still a tempting 7-1 each-way bet.

Goodwood's Predominate Stakes is a recognised Derby trial in which Youmzain (2.50) bids to build on a silky-smooth Catterick comeback win over London Express.

Mick Channon's three-year-old cruised past London Express as if he was tree, but that clearly isn't the case since the latter had previously thrashed older horses on a victorious visit to Pontefract.

The opening Lupe Stakes brings together a mini-raft of potential Epsom Oaks candidates, most notably, Deveron (2.20).

Having basked in the glorious Dubai winter sunshine, Godolphin's filly should outclass her opponents given the lofty official rating achieved during a highly promising 2005 campaign.

Haydock's £75,000 Swinton Hurdle is always run at a fearsome gallop, a scenario suited to Saif Sareea's run-style.

Richard Fahey's gelding was seen in winning Flat action at Musselburgh on Thursday, truth be told such was his superiority had the race been a fight, it would have been stopped it at the halfway stage.

Obviously in rude health, Saif Sareea is going to take some stopping, especially as he's receiving weight from the majority of his 21 rivals.

Nothing from the north contests tomorrow's 1,000 Guineas, a race in which Flashy Wings (3.30) gets the nod after receiving a massive vote of confidence following a scintillating work-out under Jamie Spencer.

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