More woe for O’Brien

AIDAN O’BRIEN’S nightmare start to 2004 continued in Longchamp yesterday as Antonius Pius snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the Gainsborough Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas).

With American Post a 4-11 chance to stretch his unbeaten record to six, the Irish raider burst out of the pack a furlong out under Jamie Spencer and looked sure to cause a huge turn-up as he went a length clear with less than 100 yards to run.

But just as victory looked assured, disaster suddenly struck as the colt jinked violently to the right, cannoned into the running rail and all but came to a complete standstill as his rider struggled to keep the partnership intact.