Walter Swinburn... on the names and faces hoping to set the 2007 Flat season alight

After the early departure to stud of what appeared to be his chief rival, Holy Roman Emperor, it would be a deflating blow to lose Teofilo to injury so early in the campaign.

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Jim Bolger, his trainer, has conceded that he has a problem but believes it is surmountable.

But the margin for error is very small with Teofilo's first target, the Stan James 2,000 Guineas, less than three weeks away.

Unbeaten in his five races, Bolger believes Teofilo has the talent to become a genuine Triple Crown contender.

Few three-year-olds make that challenge nowadays and the last colt to complete the 2,000 Guineas/Derby/St Leger sweep was Nijinsky in 1970.

But Teofilo has the potential to project Flat racing in the same way that Kauto Star exhilarated jumping fans over the winter.

It was an incredible experience to watch him see off Holy Roman Emperor in the Dewhurst Stakes in the autumn. That day he appeared to almost sink lower to the ground as he thrust out his neck to repel the Emperor.

That performance showed he had guts to go with his class. Teofilo also has the size to suggest he should be better this year.

However, if Teofilo's season has stalled, punters will be looking for 2,000 Guineas alternatives. Kevin Prendergast's Haatef will be on many shortlists but I'm looking at ADAGIO.

He makes his seasonal debut in tomorrow's Craven Stakes, a race his trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, has a great record in.

When Stoute looks after his two-year-olds, as he did last season, history has shown that they bounce back at three.

That's why I expect a good display from Adagio, whose second-run seventh in the Dewhurst places him not far behind Teofilo.

Aidan O'Brien's EAGLE MOUNTAIN, unlucky when fourth to Authorized in the Racing Post Trophy and beaten only a head by Teofilo earlier in the season, is another colt with a good attitude I'll be monitoring.

In the 1,000 Guineas, I detect huge confidence behind SANDER CAMILLO, who makes her seasonal comeback in the Nell Gwyn Stakes this afternoon.

In her home work, Sander Camillo is ridden by trainer Jeremy Noseda's wife Sally, who fulfilled the same role on Musical Bliss, my 1989 winner of the fillies' Classic.

A dark horse for the Derby could be Michael Bell's once-raced Nottingham winner METAPHORIC.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the season will be the return of last year's 2,000 Guineas winner George Washington after fertility problems, temporarily at least, curtailed his stallion career.

He is one of host of older horses back in training. The one I am looking forward to seeing most is Irish Derby winner DYLAN THOMAS. He could be O'Brien's King George horse.

Noseda's SECRET WORLD, a runner at Newmarket tomorrow in the Earl of Sefton Stakes, can repay the patience shown in him after being injured, and don't forget Andre Fabre's VISINDAR.

I'm sure there were valid excuses when he suffered his only defeat in the Derby. AL QASI, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, can make his mark in sprints, while James Fanshawe's CAPE should improve with age.

From my own stable, expectations are high that STOTSFOLD, who broke two track records last year, can match the physical strides he has made with continued improvement on the track.