Johnston hoping for Nakheel news

Mark Johnston hopes to know more about the chances of Nakheel making the Stan James 2000 Guineas line-up after owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s vet visits the colt on Friday.

The son of Sadler’s Wells is a 10-1 shot with totesport for the May 6 Classic after being well supported through the winter, but his participation is in doubt after a poor piece of work last week.

“He didn’t work well – there is no denying that, but the most important thing is that he was stiff and sore afterwards,” said Johnston.

“He didn’t eat up that night and pulled out sore the next morning.

“Sheikh Hamdan’s vet is coming over from Australia and will have a look at him on Friday and what we do next will depend on how he is after that, but it is obviously a big worry to us.

“I couldn’t say whether he will go for the Guineas at this stage but time is running out and we need to get him back into work as soon as possible,” the Middleham trainer told At The Races.