The Michael Kinane-ridden Minardi will lead Aidan O'Brien's challenge in tomorrow's Sagitta 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but although the Ballydoyle trainer has declared three colts for the race, King's County is not a definite runner.

Runner-up in three Group One races last year and winner of his only start at Cork this term, King's County will be ridden by George Duffield if he does take his chance but that is far from certain.

"If anyone wants to back King's County, I would advise them to do so with a run. He's not a definite starter," O'Brien said yesterday before confirming Darwin (Paul Scallan) as a definite runner alongside Minardi.

"Michael will ride Minardi who is very well. We've always thought he will get a mile, although obviously we won't know until we see him do it. He's a very clear-winded horse and it was never the plan to give him a race before the Guineas," O'Brien added.

The trainer's runner in Sunday's 1,000 Guineas will be Toroca and with a relaxation in foot-and-mouth restrictions expected shortly, it could be the Irish horses will not face a prolonged stay in Britain after the races. "The horses will go into the racecourse yard in Newmarket and then we will wait and see what happens," O'Brien said who described the Rowley Mile ground as perfect after his visit to the track on Wednesday. O'Brien's raid on the Guineas races at Newmarket will not be the only Irish overseas presence this weekend as Dermot Weld's seasoned traveller, Pine Dance, is back on the money trail in America.

Pine Dance will run in the one-mile Fort Marcy Handicap on turf at Acqueduct tomorrow evening as he bids to add to his two American triumphs of the 2000 season.

The local rider Jose Casteliano will take the ride in the Grade Three contest and is teaming up with Weld again following his Steinlen Stakes win on Beckon The King at Gulfsteam in 1999.

There are three Flat races at Wexford this evening but the most valuable race on the card is the £12,000 beginners chase which could be an opportunity for Penny Native to get off the mark over fences. The former good handicap hurdler just found Half-Barrel too good at Ballinrobe last time.

The best option on the level could be Island Diva whose third to Among Equals at Listowel last year gives her a solid chance against some National Hunt types in the Carnsore Maiden.