IT IS of course Classic weekend at Newmarket with the 2,000 Guineas kicking matters off this afternoon at 3.45 and a massive field of 19 runners set to go to post headed by the Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite Gleneagles.

Set to start around 2/1, but I think sure to drift, he had a nice workout last week and a friend of mine from the yard reckons he is ready to roll. However, the value lies outside the fave and I shall be having a hefty each-way punt on the Roger Varian trained Intilaaq.

This lightly raced colt ran out an easy all-the-way winner of a Newbury maiden last time out and, although this is a huge step up in class, he has bundles of improvement to come.

That is not only backed up by the visual impression he created but also his time figure, which was excellent and not far off those recorded by some of his more established rivals here.

I would grab any double-figure prices on him as he could well be a big mover in the market on the day.

Apart from the favourite, the other O’Brien runners make for interesting reading, especially Ol’ Man River -impressive on both his starts last term.

A mile-and-a-quarter could turn out to be his trip this year, but he also has a high cruising speed and is not to be underestimated.

Of the remainder, there’s much more to come from Moheet — I fancy he could be more a Derby contender — and the solid Elm Park (could find this a wee bit sharp), while I fancy Ivawood to reverse Greenham form with Estidhkaar.

With no Sole Power in the line-up, the Palace House Stakes looks wide open and I fancy a huge run from Goldream, set to relish the return to fast ground, and he gets the nod over Abernant runner-up Watchable.

The card kicks off with a valuable handicap over nine furlongs and it will be interesting to see if the market falls in favour of Top Tug, who looked so good when landing a mile-and-a-quarter handicap here in May, but then disappointed back at the track in October.

I just wonder if he will find the ground a shade too quick and Rebellious Guest could be the each-way call here.

George Margarson’s charge has fallen from a high in the handicap of 100 down to 89 here, and was far from disgraced behind Tryster in the Easter Classic at the all-weather championships at Lingfield Park.

I think this trip could be ideal for him and he gets the nod over two former Cambridgeshire winners, Bronze Angel and Educate.

At Thirsk, Sound Advice can land the Hunt Cup at 4.35, while the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday can go to Nell Gwyn winner Osaila, set to relish the extra furlong.