Galileo delighted Aidan O'Brien as he warmed up for the Breeders' Cup Classic with a workout at Southwell yesterday - but he failed to impress the bookmakers and lost his place as big-race favourite.
The English and Irish Derby winner was ridden by Mick Kinane in a gallop with two stable-companions over a mile on the track's fibresand surface, aimed at readying him for the rematch with his recent Leopardstown conqueror Fantastic Light on dirt at Belmont Park in three weeks.
On what may turn out to be his last public appearance in Europe the colt, following in the hoofprints of O'Brien's Giant's Causeway who worked at Southwell before a narrow defeat in last year's Classic, sat in behind Ice Dancer and Life Match.
He was merely nudged along to take the lead over a furlong out and strode out well to pass the post around three lengths clear, covering the one-mile trip in a very respectable 1 min 41.5 secs.
Kinane said: "He was a little bit lazy in the straight but we were happy. He's in a good frame of mind. He has been fine since the Irish Champion Stakes but when you've got beaten you have to bounce back.
"Everything he does suggests he should adapt to racing on dirt - he never backs off anything.
"With Point Given out the US challenge is probably weakened and if our horses run to their best they probably have 3lb or 4lb in hand."
O'Brien added: "We were very happy. He was only here for a day out - he didn't need this fitness-wise - and the last two furlongs were very quick, he finished well.
Coral Eurobet were less than impressed with Galileo's workout and pushed his odds for the Classic out to 7 to 2 from 3 to 1, with Fantastic Light now clear market leader at 11 to 4.
But O'Brien is full of hope for the 10-furlong contest, saying: "He has great tactical speed and is very quick into his stride and that will be a big help to him.
"It will be very hard for him to reach another peak but he is an exceptional horse and we hope it's possible." Fellow Breeders' Cup hopes Mozart and Black Minnaloushe were also in action yesterday.
Classic or Mile possible Black Minnaloushe (Kinane) needed to be pushed along to challenge a less-than-vigorously-ridden Shoal Creek in the last two furlongs of a one-mile gallop and crossed the line in unison with the four-year-old.
Yesterday's abandoned meeting at Sligo has been transferred to Fairyhouse next Tuesday. The programme of races will be as originally advertised but with amendments to four of the events. Fresh entries must be made by noon today.
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