George Washington's chances of making the Royal Ascot meeting are under threat after it emerged yesterday the superstar colt has a muscle problem over his hip.
The Aidan O'Brien team believe George Washington picked up the injury during Saturday's Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas where he finished runner-up to Araafa. "He walked away fine after the race but we trotted him this morning and noticed something wrong. He wasn't quite right," said O'Brien. "It could be three to four days before we know how long he'll be out of action so plans are on hold."
George Washington was odds-on for the weekend's Irish Classic after a superb display in the Newmarket Guineas that prompted Kieren Fallon to describe him as the best he has ever ridden.
Heavy ground was initially blamed for the Curragh defeat but the chance for revenge against Araafa in the St James's Palace Stakes next month could now be in doubt. "A lot will depend on how quickly he responds to treatment," O'Brien added.
Fallon's choice of ride for Saturday's Epsom Derby has expanded to six horses after Papal Bull was supplemented into racing's blue riband at yesterday's forfeit stage.
The Michael Stoute-trained Chester Vase winner, owned by the Coolmore supremo John Magnier, was put into the race at a cost of £75,000.
With O'Brien also leaving in Altius alongside the reported likely Ballydoyle quartet of Horatio Nelson, Dylan Thomas, Septimus and Mountain, it presents the former British champion jockey with a real Classic teaser.
O'Brien has confirmed that a series of gallops will take place at Ballydoyle this week in order to put the final pieces of the Derby jigsaw in place. "I will give him all the information I can but the decision will be Kieren's," O'Brien said at the weekend.
Bookmaker reaction to Papal Bull's inclusion among the Derby probables was to make him a general 14 to 1 shot to become Stoute's fifth Epsom winner. The Newmarket trainer is also likely to be represented by the Dante runner-up Best Alibi.
An additional Irish influence in the Derby will come from the Seán Mulryan-owned Linda's Lad who will complete his Classic preparations at Andre Fabre's yard in Chantilly ahead of teaming up with Frankie Dettori at Epsom.
"Obviously we're delighted Frankie is available to ride," said Mulryan's racing manager Herve Barjot. "Mr Fabre doesn't tend to run his Derby runners at the racecourse so he'll have a gallop at home."
Fabre will also be represented by the unbeaten Aga Khan-owned favourite Visindar while Newmarket 2,000 Guineas form will be represented by the runner-up Sir Percy and the third Olympian Odyssey.
Sunday's Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Nightime will be aimed next at the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot instead of upping in trip for the Irish Oaks.
"She has come out of the race very well and after watching a re-run of the race the Coronation looks to be the logical next step," said Dermot Weld yesterday of his 20th classic winner in Europe.
"Her dam's side is all six furlong to a mile speed and it was noticeable she was always travelling easily in the Guineas. She has plenty of early pace so after discussing it with Pat Smullen we are looking at the Coronation," he added.
Before that Weld will be heavily involved in tomorrow's night's Seamus McGrath Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown where the 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle will be joined by the Presidential runner Cairdeas.
"Pat isn't sure yet which one he is going to ride. Cairdeas is working very well and with the ground being yielding to soft at the moment that would suit him. But Media Puzzle is very well and even though he ideally likes good to firm ground he has to have a run. The plan is, if he runs in the first three, that we will look at the Ascot Gold Cup. But he'll tell us. If he's in good order, we'll go to Ascot. If not, we'll think again," said Weld.
