Footstepsinthesand ruled out of 2000 Guineas
The colt suffered a stone-bruise when winning at Newmarket and trainer Aidan O’Brien last night reported that he hasn’t fully recovered.
“It’s nothing serious, just a minor setback,” said O’Brien. “He’s been doing some light cantering since but we are not prepared to risk him.
“He didn’t work this morning but he was in the swimming pool and we’re not 100 per cent happy.”
Ballydoyle will be represented at the Curragh by Oratorio, fourth in the English 2000 Guineas, and he will now be partnered by Kieren Fallon. They will also run Albert Hall and possibly one or two others as well.
O’Brien confirmed Virginia Waters a definite starter in the Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday and she will be joined by Mona Lisa and Queen Titi.
Ace and Solskjaer will do duty for the stable in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup, also on Sunday.
David Wachman is planning to leave it late before making a definite decision on Damson’s participation in the 1000 Guineas.
The Entrepreneur filly was forced to miss the Newmarket equivalent after suffering a setback but she has been pleasing connections in recent work.
However, Wachman is keen to assess conditions at the Co Kildare track before committing his star filly to the Classic.
“Damson went fine this morning but it is raining here at the moment so we will wait until Friday and see what the ground is like,” he said.
County Wexford handler Paul Nolan is looking forward to saddling Sky High Flyer as she moves up to Group One level for the first time.
Last seen when second to Belle Artiste in the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial, she has not been out of the first two in any of her six starts.
“She definitely runs on Sunday, all being well,” said Nolan. “She’s been flying at home and is in good shape.”
Meanwhile, leading Vodafone Oaks hope Dash To The Top was yesterday ruled out of the Epsom Classic by trainer Luca Cumani.
And the John Gosden-trained Playful Act also looks unlikely to line up in the mile-and-a-half showpiece on June 3.
John Smith’s Grand National winner Hedgehunter will miss the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil on May 29.
“Hedgehunter hasn’t recovered well enough from his race at Aintree and won’t be going to France,” said Mullins.
