Racing: Punters' Guide

Simon Holt of Channel 4 Racing analyses today's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket

Alrassaam: Caused upset when too strong for much-vaunted Killer Instinct at Newbury.

Auction House: Determined front-running juvenile last year, winning three times (beat Commander Collins at Doncaster). Second to Mujahid in Dewhurst.

Bahamian Bandit: Had to be ridden out to land a minor event (7f) here a fortnight ago and this is a step up in class and distance.

Brancaster: Unbeaten last season and second to Compton Admiral in the Craven. Likeable but the stable's second string.

Commander Collins: Son of Sadler's Wells who demolished rivals in Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October. Earlier beaten a head by Auction House.

Compton Admiral: Consistent and reappeared to beat Brancaster in Craven Stakes. Should be thereabouts but more to prove.

Debbie's Warning: Third to Compton Admiral in the Craven on only his second run. Should improve further. But needs to.

Desaru: Won by four lengths at Doncaster last season but then did not stay when third in the Royal Lodge Stakes (1m, soft).

Easaar: Wintered in Dubai since trouncing 26 others in Newmarket (7f) maiden. Hard to assess.

Enrique: Smart juvenile, but a disappointing fourth to Mujahid in the Dewhurst, and scraped home from Exeat on reappearance.

Exeat: Beaten half a length by Enrique recently but is held by Orpen on two-year-old form.

Gold Academy: Well beaten by Enrique here last autumn but did better when chasing home Golden Snake first time out.

Island Sands: Has spent the winter in Dubai for Godolphin. Could be anything and this is a big step up in class.

Mujahid: Last season's Dewhurst winner but a flop when 2-5 favourite for the Craven. Has apparently worked brilliantly since.

Orpen: Major Irish hope after winning both juvenile starts, including a Group One at Deauville.

Red Sea: Fluent winner of Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and a good second in a Group One at Longchamp.

Triple Dash: Soft-ground winner before improving to chase home older rival Gorse at Newmarket (6f). Should appreciate the trip.

Conclusion: It may prove safest to rely on the proven, battle-hardened AUCTION HOUSE. Red Sea, although a tricky customer, had some smart form last year while Orpen looks a major contender and Commander Collins remains highly regarded.