Bruges set to miss Newmarket

Unbeaten juvenile Bruges is unlikely to head for the Stan James 2000 Guineas after scoping badly earlier in the week.

Having beaten subsequent Group Three scorer Norman Invader on his debut at the Curragh, the Marju colt went on to take the Listed Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown in impressive style.

David Myerscough’s colt was then snapped up by leading owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and although he is as short as 33-1 for the Newmarket Classic, he is set to miss out.

Myerscough said: “We’ve had a bit of a hold up with him as he scoped badly earlier this week.

“He almost certainly won’t make the first Guineas at Newmarket and I’m not sure when he will be out.

“I haven’t spoken with Angus Gold (Maktoum’s racing manager) yet so we have no running plans at this stage.”