Racing's attension shifts to for the coveted , and ITV's Kevin Blake has chimed in with his fancy for the first British Classic of the season. three-year-old grey Field Of Gold currently heads the market for HQ's Saturday showstopper, fresh off a convincing win in the Group 3 Craven Stakes over C&D last month.

The Juddmonte-owned son of Kingman showed considerable improvement in that outing, and success would mark a first win in the feature for Gosden. Godolphin won this last year with Notable Speech and again head to Suffolk with an excellent hand. Jumeirah 2000 Guineas winner and Justify colt Ruling Court lies second in the market. Dewhurst and Middle Park winner Shadow Of Light is also prominent, but is not preferred by retained rider William Buick. is represented by just the one: Wootton Bassett three-year-old Expanded. However, ITV's Blake has thrown his weight behind a different animal, choosing to side with the Ballydoyle supremo's son, Joseph, and has backed Group 1 National Stakes winner Scorthy Champ, a general 9-1 shot at the time of writing, to prevail over the iconic Rowley Mile.

"The one that appeals most to me is the Joseph O'Brien-trained Scorthy Champ," Blake wrote for Betfair. "The son of Mehmas made an impressive debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown in May, but a mid-season hold-up meant that he wasn't seen again until the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh in August.

"Considered to have been in need of the run, he was dropped in and ridden sympathetically on his way to finishing a never-nearer third to the subsequent Group 1 winners Henri Matisse and Hotazhell.

"That very pleasing return to action put him spot on for the National Stakes at the Curragh three weeks later. Having clearly benefited from his run in the Futurity Stakes, he made eye-catching headway from soon after halfway to get the better of his old rival Henri Matisse.

"Scorthy Champ's connections elected not to run him again last season with a view to giving him a good break and having him back in work in plenty of time to allow for a thorough preparation for the 2000 Guineas.

"That preparation has reportedly gone very well. All told, Scorthy Champ looks to have excellent prospects, and with his draw appealing as being positive, he looks set to run a big race."

Alongside his support of the Mehmas colt, Blake also fears that the two market leaders may be hindered by not only their draw, but the way in which the potential pace of the race develops.

"Regarding the pace, there are not an array of regular front runners, but the likeliest pace seems to be concentrated around the middle of the draws," added Blake. "This pace picture might well create a headache for both Field Of Gold and Ruling Court. Both of them were shown in an excellent light by patient rides last time.

"Both would likely have ideally wanted middle draws to maximise cover and give them options to manoeuvre close to wherever the best pace is. As it has transpired, they are both drawn on the high wing. This is a particular negative for Field Of Gold, as he pulled notably hard in heavy cover in the Craven and Kieran Shoemark will be desperate to find as much cover as he can get for him."