Jockey Richard Hills said today that he cannot see his StanJames.com 2000 Guineas mount Awzaan finishing out of the first four.
The Mark Johnston-trained colt, who was unbeaten in four starts as a two-year-old and won the Group 1 Shadwell Middleham Park Stakes on his final start last term, is currently a 7-1 shot with the sponsors
Hills, who the 2,000 Guineas aboard Haafhd in 2004, partnered Awzaan in a workout at Newmarket’s Craven meeting and was pleased with how things went.
He told told At The Races: “The last time I sat on him was at the Craven.
“It was a normal piece of work and he gave me a good feel. It was a good exercise gallop two weeks before the race.
“He’s unbeaten and finished last season by winning a Group 1. He looks great and I can’t see him being out of the first four.”
Doubts have been raised as to whether awzaan will get the trip, but Hills is confident he will stay.
“It’s been brought up in the press, but Mark and I are adamant he’ll stay a mile,” he said.
“Whether he stays further I don’t know, but I’m very confident he’ll get a mile.”
