Camelot back on track, says O'Brien

Aidan O’Brien has issued an upbeat bulletin on his dual Derby winner Camelot, who has recovered well from a serious bout of colic.

Having won the 2000 Guineas as well as the Classics at Epsom and the Curragh, he was sent off a short price to complete the Triple Crown in the St Leger but came off second best to Encke.

He then trailed home in seventh in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe under Frankie Dettori but remains in training as a four-year-old.

O’Brien told At The Races: “He’s in full work. We’re delighted with him really, he’s made a good recovery.

“He’s half-speeding away and it’s so far so good.”

O’Brien’s Classic crop for the coming season looks strong again with the likes of Kingsbarns and Cristoforo Colombo leading the team.

“I’m very happy with Kingsbarns, he’s done very well, Cristoforo Colombo, I’m very happy with him also,” said O’Brien.

“If the ground is fast, he’s (Cristoforo Colombo) going to really relish it. He never got it last year.

“Kingsbarns is very well and he won’t mind (ground-wise). He’s very versatile.

“They are all doing half-speed work at the moment and those Classic-type horses will go to the Curragh towards the end of March (for a gallop).”

O’Brien also indicated that St Nicholas Abbey and Starspangledbanner are possibles for Dubai.