Abbey will need to be a ‘freak’ to land 2000 Guineas

KIEREN Fallon believes St Nicholas Abbey will have to be a “freak” if he is to make a winning return to action in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien’s Montjeu colt was unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile and a devastating display in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster catapulted him to the head of the betting for both the Guineas and the Derby.

However, Fallon, able to form an unbiased view as he currently has no ride in the season’s first Classic, feels the quicker ground St Nicholas Abbey will encounter this weekend leaves a question mark over his chances.