Abbey out for rest of year

AIDAN O’BRIEN has revealed it is “very likely” that St Nicholas Abbey will be given the rest of the year off after missing an engagement last weekend.

An unbeaten juvenile campaign promised plenty, but he has been off the track since beaten into sixth when favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.

Connections had hoped to see him return in last Sunday’s Finale Stakes at the Curragh but having missed that, O’Brien feels it is too late in the year to now prepare him for a big race.