Haatef, generally priced at around 7-1, following the shock withdrawal of the favourite Teofilo, is the value bet to land the first Classic of the season, the Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket tomorrow.

Trained in Ireland by Kevin Prendergast, who won the same race 30 years ago with Nebbiolo, and the mount of champion Irish jockey Declan McDonogh, Haatef is napped to land a fascinating renewal of this showpiece event, which is worth £350,000, and a whole lot more in potential stud value.

While the home side are represented by such as Sir Michael Stoute's Adagio, impressive winner of the Craven Stakes; the Richard Hannon-trained Major Cadeaux, a wide-margin winner of the Greenham Stakes; and runaway Newbury maiden winner Diamond Tycoon, trained by Brian Meehan, Ireland, even without the much-heralded Teofilo, are represented by Haatef and a squad of three runners from Aidan O'Brien's yard, which won the prize last year with George Washington.

For me, Haatef represents the most interesting and potentially the best miler in the field. Easy winner of a maiden at the Curragh last summer, his only other outing was the the Dewhurst Stakes, a Group 1 affair at Newmarket, in which he finished fourth, beaten little more than three lengths by Teofilo after finding trouble in running.

Considering that was only his second outing, he ran a mighty race. Furthermore, he has reputedly been working like a champion in his big-race preparation.

O'Brien, who has strength in depth with Duke Of Marmalade, Eagle Mountain and Yellowstone, does not look to be as strongly-represented as in other years, while Adagio (held by Haatef on Dewhurst form) and Major Cadeaux look the best of the British.

There is also a worthy challenger from France in the line-up. US Ranger is unbeaten in four starts and has been heavily-backed from 50-1 down to single-figure odds.

A crackerjack of a race is promised, and I am banking on Haatef coming out on top for Ireland.

Also worth noting at Newmarket is Fullandby, trained by Tim Etherington at Norton, who goes for the £50,000 StanJamesUK.com Handicap over six furlongs.

This admirable sprinter ran a race full of promise at Beverley on his recent comeback, staying on strongly to finish fifth from a poor draw. That race will have done him the world of good, and although tomorrow's ground may be livelier than ideal for him, a bold shot is anticipated.

The classy Echelon (2.45) and Mark Johnston's unbeaten all-weather winner Boscobel (5.10) are two others to note on a wonderful card.

Racing selections

Tomorrow

Newmarket
2.10 Farleigh House, 2.45 Echelon, 3.25 Haatef (NAP), 4.00 Fullandby, 4.35 Lepido, 5.10 Boscobel, 5.45 Wannabe Posh.

Thirsk
1.55 Group Therapy, 2.25 Bernix, 3.00 Wind Star, 3.35 Malcheek, 4.05 Incoming Call, 4.40 Highland Warrior, 5.15 Billy Ruffian.

Tomorrow's other meetings:
Goodwood, Uttoxeter and Worcester.

Today's meetings:
Musselburgh, Lingfield, Southwell, Fontwell, Bangor.