Air Force Blue is expected to have little problem in seeing out the mile trip for the first time as he bids to give trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-breaking eighth success in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Although the three-year-old - one of 17 runners left in the opening colts' classic alongside stablemates Air Vice Marshal, Bravery and Shogun - has yet to race beyond seven furlongs, connections believe the additional furlong should pose no problems to the triple Group 1 winner.

Reported to have "wintered very well", the son of War Front, winner of last year's Phoenix Stakes, National Stakes and Dewhurst, is as short as 4/7 to make a winning return to action on the Rowley Mile.

Speaking at a media event in Newmarket, Kevin Buckley, UK representative for owners Coolmore, said: "He has wintered very well, developed, strengthened and his training regime has gone perfectly, so we are all happy. It has been faultless, I believe.

"The only question is that has never run over a mile before, but I don't think it's really a flaw.

"Given his physical make-up and how he has developed and how he performed on the Rowley Mile last year, there is every reason to believe everything will be fine.

"Clearly there has to be some form of concern as he has never done it before, but his training and physique suggests that it should be fine. Until he comes here and does it we won't know for definite."

Blue De Vega is 50-50 to take his chance after pleasing connections in a workout at the weekend, with his appearance also ground dependent.

Trainer Michael O'Callaghan said last week that the Qatar Racing-owned Blue De Vega's participation was in the balance as he felt the race might just come too soon following a wet winter and a cold spring. However, he has been showing the right signs and a final decision has yet to be made.

Qatar racing manager David Redvers said: "We are waiting to see what happens with the ground. He has his last spin tomorrow so he's left in at the moment and a decision will be made nearer the time.

"He's in great shape. He's got two options - Newmarket or France. It just depends whether Michael feels he's ready to run after his last spin tomorrow.

"We don't particularly want extremes of going."

Read Guineas previews by Rory Delargy and Donn McClean in this week's The Irish Field