Thursday 9th April 2009
O’Brien stanjames.com 2000 Guineas team taking shape
Henrythenavigator gave O'Brien victory in last year's stanjames.com 2000 Guineas
TRAINER Aidan O’Brien has four horses under serious consideration for The stanjames.com 2000 Guineas.
Speaking this morning, O’Brien pinpointed dual Group 1 winner Mastercraftsman, Rip Van Winkle, Westphalia and Set Sail as his quartet.
O’Brien, who won the race last year with Henrythenavigator, said: “It is hard to say what the pecking order is at the moment - in the next couple of weeks we might have some idea.”
Rip Van Winkle wintered for a long time as the ante-post favourite before news of a slight setback filtered through at the end of March. But the horse who finished an eye-catching seventh in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes last autumn enjoyed a racecourse gallop with stable-mates last month and is pleasing his trainer.
O’Brien said: “He is a natural who doesn’t need a lot of work. We are happy with where he is at the moment. He is a quick thinker and quick learner.
“We are very happy with Mastercraftsman. He did a nice bit of work at the Curragh - the same as Westphalia, who is in good shape and a good place, mentally. He could go for as trial in France on Sunday. Set Sail is entered in France as well.”
Fellow Irish contender Arazan is reported to be well by his trainer John Oxx.
The Curragh-based handler said: “So far, so good - Arazan is our intended runner at the moment. He is quite forward and hasn’t had any setbacks in the spring.
“The question-mark would be firm ground - whether we would want to risk him or not early on in the season. We will make a decision nearer to the time.”
Another Classic clue is on offer tomorrow when Naaqoos runs in the Prix Djebel at Maisons-Lafitte. He won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagerdere on his final start as a two-year-old and today his trainer Freddie Head pointed the way to The stanjames.com 2000 Guineas on Saturday May 1.
Head said: “I think Newmarket will suit him. He has got tremendous speed but a mile will be no problem - I think he will get the trip.
“He had a very good winter and is very well at the moment.”
By Tony Rushmer
