New Favourite For 2,000 Guineas As O’Brien Reveals The Lion In Winter A Doubt

[Wandering Eyes]

Aidan O'Brien has revealed that long-time 2,000 Guineas favourite The Lion In Winter is unlikely to make the Newmarket Classic on May 3 and nominated Expanded and Twain as being the most likely Ballydoyle-trained representatives for the race instead.

The news, which was delivered at the annual Ballydoyle press morning, saw Expanded usurp The Lion In Winter as the new 2,000 Guineas favourite while Twain has also shortened into odds of 9-1.

 “The Lion In Winter took a little bit of time to come right so he's a little bit behind the others,” O'Brien said.

“We took him to the Curragh last weekend and he went well, the work was easy what he did. Whether he'll make it in time for the Guineas or not I'm not sure. We'll know in the next week or so but if he doesn't he might be trained for something like the Dante (at York) and go straight to the Derby, something like that.

“There has to be a doubt about the Guineas but he's very well, he's just carrying plenty of condition so he might not make it, in the next couple of weeks we'll know.”

Expanded: the new favourite for the 2,000 Guineas | Brian Sheerin

O'Brien's leading filly from last year, Lake Victoria, who won Group 1 races over six and seven furlongs as well as over a mile, is also not certain to be ready in time for the 1,000 Guineas.

“She's good, she had a long break, longer than the others because her year went very long,” said O'Brien.

“She was at the Curragh last weekend as well on an easy piece of work. I'm not sure if she'll make the Guineas but we're training her for it. If she didn't (make it) she would go for the Athasi Stakes the day after at the Curragh if she didn't come in time.

“Knowing her she probably will come in time because she's that type of filly. I'm very happy with her and we think she's done very well.”

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