The key questions as colts put 2,000 Guineas claims on the line in Craven Stakes

Bet365 Craven Stakes | Group 3 | 1m | 3yo colts and geldings | ITV4/RTV

Can Zakouski follow in Masar's footsteps?

With just over two weeks until the first British Classic of the season, pointers on who could be primed for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas have been in short supply.

Too Darn Hot was forced to miss his intended reappearance in last weekend's Greenham, while Aidan O'Brien's leading hopes, Ten Sovereigns and Magna Grecia, have also remained at home rather than take in a trial.

As late an Easter as there can be in the calendar has left the Craven meeting sneaking in from stage left this year, with the three-day fixture's highlight unusually taking place on a Wednesday, although it will revert to Thursday next year.

Masar: won the 2018 Craven en route to Derby gloryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Of the leading Guineas contenders, Zakouski, who is fourth in the betting behind Too Darn Hot, is the first to put his head above the parapet on what will be only his second start.

Winner of a Kempton novice in November, the son of Shamardal has been increasingly popular in the ante-post market in recent weeks and is now a 7-1 shot for the Guineas.

Trainer Charlie Appleby, who sent out Masar to win the Craven last year en route to a memorable success in the Derby, said: "Zakouski was a backward type last year and we gave him plenty of time, but he ran very well on his only start.

"This is a fact-finding mission and we'll know a lot more about which route to take with him following this race."

Can Bin Suroor and Soumillon do it again?

Saeed Bin Suroor's appreciation of Christophe Soumillon is well-documented, and the pair teamed up on one of racing's biggest stages last month to capture the Dubai World Cup with Thunder Snow.

Bin Suroor has turned to Soumillon again, with the jockey partnering last season's Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Royal Marine, who came in for Guineas support on Tuesday (12-1 from 16) and was edging Craven favouritism on Tuesday night.

Soumillon has not ridden on the Rowley Mile in the last five seasons but will be kept busy with four rides on Wednesday's card, all for Bin Suroor and Godolphin.

A return to turf should help Royal Marine, who failed to fire at Meydan in January, and Bin Suroor said: "Royal Marine didn’t enjoy racing on dirt in Dubai but has been doing really at home and has been working well.

"He prefers easy ground but is in good form and ready to go."

Will Skardu remain unbeaten for Haggas?

Five of the nine-strong field are bringing unblemished records into battle, including Skardu, who was a surprise 33-1 winner on debut at the track over seven furlongs last September.

His odds for success in the Craven are appreciably shorter and trainer William Haggas said: "Skardu has done well over the winter, I'm very happy with him. All he's done so far is win a maiden, which I wasn’t expecting, but he won easily in a good time against a good field.

"He's come to hand a bit quicker than I expected – a month ago I didn't think he'd be ready for the Craven, but the dry weather and dry ground has helped him. He'll come on for what he does – it’s a trial for a better race."

Can Set Piece translate all-weather form to turf?

Hugo Palmer tasted 2,000 Guineas glory in 2016 with Galileo Gold, and his main hope for the race this year is Set Piece, unbeaten in two all-weather starts.

Set Piece: two from two on the all-weatherCredit: Grossick Racing

Enable and Jack Hobbs have highlighted how high-class horses can start off on the all-weather before moving on to bigger things, and Set Piece looked good when winning at Kempton and Newcastle over the winter.

Palmer said: "He’s done nothing wrong. He’s got a beautiful pedigree and is unbeaten. This is a trial. He’ll learn a lot, and so will we."

What they say

Gay Kelleway, trainer of Global Spectrum
It's a tough ask but Gerald Mosse tells me the horse has improved from Qatar and is good enough to hold his own in this sort of race. His main aim is the French Guineas but we'll have a crack, and the fast ground will not be a problem.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Jackstar
We've always really liked him. He had a blowout at Wolverhampton to get his eye back in. I'm sure he'll hold his own and hopefully won't be too far off.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Watan
He's done really well over the winter and has strengthened up in all the right places. He was still a big baby last year and I feel he's matured a lot. This looks the ideal starting point, and looking at his run in the Acomb that will give him a solid chance here. He'll come on for the run but all being well can put himself among the Classic possibles.

Martyn Meade, trainer of Confiding
He has been off a long time and it is a tough ask. He will benefit from the run and this will show us where we are with him.

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