Ouqba supplemented for 2,000 Guineas

Barry Hills has backed Free Handicap winner Ouqba to make an impression in the 2009 2,000 Guineas by paying a £30,000 fee to supplement his racehorse for the year’s first Classic.

Hills is said to have left Ouqba out of his options for the 2,000 Guineas due to concerns over the colt’s staying power. However an excellent performance in his first race of the season, the European Free Handicap, has convinced Hills that Ouqba can threaten the favourites.

“It’s hard to tell with the form because quite a few horses haven’t run this season, but at this moment, the Guineas looks a very open race,” Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum told Sky Sports.

“I think that Sheikh Hamdan felt that he would like another string to his bow and I think that Ouqba could easily be in the frame on Saturday.”

“He won the European Free Handicap in good style and he had plenty of racing last year so he’s experienced. Richard Hills rode him the other day and feels that he will stay the trip.”