Qipco 2000 Guineas – Andre Fabre reckons Al Wukair can go close in Saturday’s Classic at Newmarke

ANDRE FABRE says Al Wukair is ready to give his Qipco 2,000 Guineas rivals a Classic whacking.

The legendary 27-time champion French trainer is looking for a third win in the race after the successes of Zafonic in 1993 and Pennekamp in 1995.

Al Wukair is unbeaten in three runs and stuffed Group 1 winner National Defense on his seasonal debut in the Group 3 Prix Djebel on April 10.

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Fabre, 71, reckons there is more to come and said: "Al Wukair has been very good in his work since his Maisons-Laffitte win.

"He couldn't be in better form and I'm confident he will go very close.

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"He had a light twoyear-old campaign on purpose as my horses had a little problem with a virus last season so I did not want to force them."

Fabre added: "The ground is not a worry.

"He has won on soft and it was on the fast side for the Djebel.

"He is well balanced and will handle the track. In my opinion Newmarket is the best racecourse in the world. I never have any complaints there."