Nakheel under a cloud

Mark Johnston’s Nakheel, as short as 10-1 in some lists for the Stan James 2000 Guineas, is under a cloud and will not have his planned racecourse gallop at Newmarket this week.

The Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned three-year-old was unbeaten in two starts last year, culminating in a Listed success at Pontefract but rumours were rife on the betting exchanges that something was amiss.

Johnston, who won the Classic with Mister Baileys in 1994, confirmed that all was not well with the Sadler’s Wells colt.

“He worked disappointingly on Friday and was feeling pretty sorry for himself afterwards and was off his food,” Johnston told The Sportsman.

“It would be wrong to say that a Guineas bid is on hold, but it is still a worry with the Classic less than three weeks away, and there is no point in galloping him at Newmarket or anywhere else until he perks up again.

“I will talk to Angus Gold (Sheikh Hamdan’s Racing Manager) when he returns from Australia this week and we will review the situation and hope Nakheel is soon back on song.”