Warning for Killybegs backers

Barry Hills’ Craven Stakes winner Killybegs is rated only a ‘50-50 chance’ for the Stan James 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

The news comes after it was revealed that the trainer's son Michael has chosen to ride stable companion Red Clubs in the first Classic of the season.

Killybegs may now be rerouted to the French Guineas at Longchamp on May 14.

“I rate Killybegs as being no more than 50-50 to run on Saturday at this stage,” said Hills.

“Michael has decided to ride Red Clubs. It must have been a very difficult decision.

“Olympian Odyssey will definitely take his chance and Jamie Spencer will ride him,” Hills explained to The Sportsman.

The trainer's son and assistant Charlie is confident that Red Clubs will see out the mile trip.

“I guess before the Greenham at Newbury we were worried that the move up to a mile might be a step too far. But he did not look as if he was stopping at the finish that day.

“He is so laid back and you can put him anywhere in a race. Good ground is ideal for him.

“He disappointed us a bit in the Dewhurst at Newmarket but the soft ground would have been all against him on that occasion.”