Trainer John Gosden’s name has long been synonymous with success in the British racing world, but Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas has so far eluded his grasp.

On Saturday, striking grey Field Of Gold has a strong chance of righting that omission in the Group One three-year-old classic over the straight 1,600m of the historic Rowley Mile.

In the moments leading up to the 2025 reappearance of the Juddmonte-owned son of Kingman in last month’s Group Three Craven Stakes – run over the Guineas course and distance – respected paddock observers were united in complimenting Field Of Gold’s physical progress since last seen at Longchamp in October.

That day in the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1,400m), Field Of Gold looked raw and galloped too keenly on the softening ground, finishing fourth.

“I haven’t witnessed a horse who has done as well as him from two [years old] to three,” jockey Kieran Shoemark said.

“He has strengthened so much and you can feel that when you are on him. He has a great constitution and everything you want from a good horse. He’s alert from the gates, he can settle off a nice pace and he can quicken.”

Settling at the rear in the Craven Stakes, Field Of Gold was last of nine runners about 600m out before scything past one rival after another to win going away by three and a half lengths.

Field Of Gold and Shoemark will leave from gate 10 in Saturday’s field of 11.

Aidan O’Brien has won the 2000 Guineas 10 times and though the Ballydoyle stable has not found the key to the opening English Classic since 2019, it has an interesting candidate in Ryan Moore’s mount Expanded.

The champion Irish trainer does not do preparation races with his serious Guineas candidates, with his 10 winners all making their seasonal reappearances. And Expanded will arrive back at Newmarket 203 days since he had finished a neck second to Shadow Of Light in a gripping finish to the Group One Dewhurst Stakes (1,400m). That performance glistens especially as it came just seven days after his career debut in a 1,400m maiden at the Curragh.

Shadow Of Light (Mickael Barzalona) is unbeaten over the Rowley Mile, having previously romped to a four-length verdict in the Group One Middle Park Stakes (1,200m) last September. His ability is unquestioned but there are questions over his stamina for Saturday’s testing 1,600m which is perhaps why William Buick – Godolphin’s number one rider – has opted to pair up with the lower official rated Ruling Court.

The son of Justify’s stamina is proven, having accelerated stylishly from the back to record a six-length winning margin in Meydan’s Listed equivalent of the 2000 Guineas (1,600m) in March.

Charlie Appleby, who trains both Ruling Court and Shadow Of Light, has won the 2000 Guineas twice in the last three years.

The 2000 Guineas is one of nine races from Newmarket to be offered by the Jockey Club for betting on Saturday. Three races at Morphettville, headlined by the Group One South Australian Derby (2,500m), will also be simulcast.