The 2009 2,000 Guineas is set to feature a field of 17 horses, with seven runners departing the race after Thursday’s final forfeit stage.

Aidan O’Brien’s Rip Van Winkle was confirmed for the race despite concerns over his fitness following a stone bruise to his right leg. Mastercraftsman represents O’Brien’s second hope for the 2,000 Guieans. The Irish trainer is looking to achieve his 6th consecutive 2,000 Guineas win.

“Rip Van Winkle has missed some work due to his foot bruise, but the problem has improved day by day. We have two more days to go before the race and, hopefully, he will continue to progress,” O’Brien told the Racing Post.

Brian Meechan’s Delegator remained at the top of the 2,000 Guineas betting tables after the final forfeit stage. There are, however, questions lingering over his participation after Meechan announced he wouldn’t run Delegator over fast ground.

With ground conditions at Newmarket current rated good to firm after watering, Delegator remains a doubtful starter for the race. Thursday’s withdrawals included Arazan, Grand Ducal, Himalya, Intense Focus, Set Sail, Shaweel and Westphalia.

Leading contenders that stood their ground for the year’s opening Classic included Sir Michael Stoute’s impressive entry, Evasive, as well as several other well-backed runners, including Ouqba and See the Stars.

Aidan O’Brein is optimistic about market favourite Rip Van Winkle’s prospects of appearing in Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas following a recent setback.

Rip Van Winkle is believed to have sustained a stone bruise to a front leg on Monday, and is in a race against time to regain full fitness.

“We poulticed Rip Van Winkle’s foot overnight and when we removed the poultice this morning there was a lot of pus in it, which was encouraging,” O’Brien told the Independent. “But we will still have to wait and see how things go over the next couple of days.”

Rip Van Winkle remains a steady favourite in the 2,000 Guineas betting markets despite his setback, and is currently priced 4/1 to beat race favourite, Delegator, on Saturday.

While O’Brien waits on Rip Van Winkle’s progress, Sir Michael Stoute’s Evasive looks set to appear in the 2,000 Guineas after recovering from a foot abscess.

“Thankfully it was a very temporary thing,” Stoute said after his horse returned lame from training on Monday. “He was sound later that morning and was fine when we checked him over, but he hasn’t had the easiest of preparations.”