Buick yet to decide on his 2000 Guineas mount

William Buick faces a touch choice of which Charlie Appleby-trained colt to ride out of Ruling Court and Shadow Of Light in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Although on the face of it an enviable problem to have, Buick is well aware whichever three-year-old he discounts has the potential to go and win the Classic.

Buick said: “I haven’t made a decision yet as to what I will ride in the 2000 Guineas.

“Obviously both Shadow Of Light and Ruling Court are in the race. Shadow Of Light is a champion two-year-old and Dewhurst winner so it’s an obvious race for him to go for. Ruling Court is a horse we don’t know as much about, but he won the Guineas in Dubai on Super Saturday when he couldn’t have done any more.

“Charlie and I feel they both deserve to be in the 2000 Guineas. It is a hugely important race and going to be hugely competitive. There are horses in there that have run in and won trials but most of them we haven’t seen yet this year and that is always the thing with both of the Guineas races – you just never really know.”

Buick, speaking in his role as ambassador for The Jockey Club’s East Region, added: “I have ridden both Shadow Of Light and Ruling Court this year and you would have to be pleased with both of them. They are two very straightforward and high-class horses. I don’t know if I will get to sit on either of them before declarations time on Thursday – that will be Charlie’s call.”

Shadow of Light has done his winning over trips shorter than a mile and there was even a question mark about a seventh furlong in the Dewhurst. But Buick think it is worth a try.

He said: “If you go back to his Dewhurst win, that was on pretty soft ground. Obviously, his class told that day but equally he had to stay with the way the race unfolded and while you never know until you try, you would have to be pretty hopeful a straight mile on good ground should not be a problem for him.”

Buick’s mount in the Betfred 1000 Guineas is set in stone in the shape of the odds-on favourite Desert Flower.

“Desert Flower was excellent last year and just kept on improving all season right the way through to the Fillies’ Mile, where she probably posted her most impressive win of the year,” he said.

“She has done nothing wrong and obviously having won on the track as a two-year-old is a help.

“She looks great and I think Charlie and the team have been very happy with her throughout the winter.

“She had a nice spin on the track at the Craven meeting. She wasn’t asked any serious questions but she felt very comfortable doing what she did. To ride her, she is a very straightforward filly and can do whatever really.

“She is super genuine and gives you everything.”