King Of Kings was the subject of an upbeat bulletin from Aidan O'Brien yesterday as he peaks for a clash with Xaar in Saturday's Newmarket 2,000 Guineas.
The 4 to 1 Guineas second favourite worked on Friday under big race jockey Michael Kinane and did all that O'Brien expected of him.
"He's a very honest horse, never disappoints in his work and worked nicely again. Mick seemed happy with him," O'Brien said.
The Ballydoyle trainer will also be represented in Sunday's 1,000 Guineas by Shahtoush although jockey plans are fluid for her with Kinane reported to be riding the Michael Stoute trained Exclusive.
"At the moment the filly is an intended runner but we have to see how everything goes with her through the week," O'Brien added.
Other Guineas plans are taking shape at Ballydoyle with O'Brien not ruling out the Derby favourite Second Empire making his seasonal debut at Longchamp in the French 2,000 Guineas on May 10th.
"It is a possibility. The original plan was to run him in the Tetrarch and that is still the more likely but I'm not ruling out France completely," said O'Brien. "Saratoga Springs could go straight for the Irish 2,000 Guineas or the Dante at York. He's fit and well and being a tough, hardy horse the Irish Guineas might suit him," he added.
Newmarket is the immediate aim, however, and O'Brien is only too aware of the task King Of Kings has in trying to beat the odds on Xaar.
"He looks a very good horse and soft ground might suit him more than King Of Kings. Our horse has such a great action that he should be better on good ground," O'Brien said.
Bianconi opened his account in devastating fashion at Navan on Saturday when taking the five furlong Duleek Maiden by 13 lengths. The full brother to July Cup winner Hamas swept to the front inside the final quarter, and was ridden clear by Christy Roche to record the wide margin win from Crystal Wind, who snatched the runner-up spot close home.
Aidan O'Brien was not at the meeting but later reported that he was "delighted with the performance" and the Danzig colt will head next for the Group Three Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday May 23rd.
David Casey and Willie Mullins successfully combined for a double with hurdle winners How Ran On and Livin Joy. Brian O'Connor (16) from Valentia Island, Co Kerry, partnered his first winner when Lets Clic Together stayed on strongly inside the final quarter mile to beat Noble Dane by three lengths in the Dunboyne Handicap.
Astarabad spearheaded a clean sweep for the Aga Khan at Longchamp yesterday.
Following Peintre Celebre's shock retirement Astarabad started favourite to win the Group One Prix Ganay and easily fended off Que Belle with John Dunlop's Taipan (Pat Eddery) third.
Earlier the Aga Khan had won the Prix Vanteaux with Zainta, who has now stretched her unbeaten run to three.
Tajoun completed the hat-trick for the Aga Khan, trainer Alain de Royer Dupre and jockey Gerald Mosse when striding clear for a four-length victory in the Prix de Barbeville.
The winner was staking his claim to be the best stayer in France and is now a possible French challenger for the Ascot Gold Cup.
Ian Balding's Sausalito Bay faded out to finish a remote fourth in the Barbeville.
