2000 Guineas hope Royal Scotsman "in it to win it" for race's oldest trainer

05 May 2023 , 08:00

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Royal Scotsman, who carries the pink and green colours of owner Fitri Hay, is 8-1 to win the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket (Image: Getty)

Royal Scotsman's team declared they are "in it to win it" and not just playing for places behind the red hot 2,000 Guineas favourite.

Tipped to bag the first Classic treble in over 50 years, Auguste Rodin's price continues to contract with bookies on the eve of the race.

The career of Paul Cole, the most senior trainer in the line-up, spans six decades – and it unearthed all-time great Generous. But 20 years have passed since the 82-year-old trainer, based at one of the country's oldest training facilities in Wantage, hit the heights at Group 1 level in the Ascot Gold Cup.

His son Oliver, 42, who shares the licence, hopes Royal Scotsman can roll back the years by achieving the fairytale result.

"We are in it to win it," he said. "Royal Scotsman is a big, good looking horse who we thought would train on – and all the evidence suggests he has.'

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"It looks a hot race and Aidan's horses are very good, but we are expecting a big run from ours."

Trainer Paul Cole pictured at Ascot Racecourse (Getty)

Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O'Brien will be double-handed, also saddling Phoenix Stakes winner Little Big Bear, as he tries to take his ten-win record up another notch. Karl Burke has three of the 14 declared runners – Craven Stakes victor Indestructible, Futurity third Holloway Boy and outsider Flight Plan.

A change in the forecast instigated watering of the ground on Thursday, currently described as good to firm, good in places.

“We have put down 4mm to maintain the position," said clerk of the course Michael Prosser.

Melissa Jones