George Washington ruled out of Leopardstown race

Aidan O’Brien has ruled George Washington out of a return to action at Leopardstown this weekend, but a trip to Goodwood the following week remains a possibility.

The Ballydoyle handler had been considering the Desmond Stakes or the Celebration Mile as a starting point for his Stan James 2000 Guineas hero, who has been sidelined since pulling a hip muscle when finishing second to Araafa in the Irish equivalent over two months ago.

The son of Danehill was put through his paces earlier today and O’Brien said this evening: “Everything went fine this morning, but I don’t think he is going to be supplemented for the Desmond Stakes as he needs more time.

“The Celebration Mile would be a possible, but we will have to see how he comes along. The important thing is to try and get him started back and try and find a race for him.”