Waldon to miss Dante

Saffron Waldon is set to miss Wednesday's Dante Stakes at York and wait instead for the Entenmann's Irish 2,000 Guineas but Aidan O'Brien could make a Classic bid before that in next Sunday's French Guineas.

The eight-length Gowran winner Aspen Leaves is being considered for the French 1,000 Guineas and her stable-mates, Lavery and Pink Coral, are not been ruled out of the French 2,000 Guineas and Group One Prix St Alary respectively.

"Lavery had an easy race at Goodwood on Saturday and although the ground will have to be fast for him to run in France, he is still in the race," O'Brien said yesterday.

"We are thinking of the 1,000 Guineas for Aspen Leaves and if she goes, the other filly (Pink Coral) might go too," he added.

Pink Coral had been lined up for the Musidora at York tomorrow but it now looks as if there will be a curtailed Ballydoyle challenge at the Knavesmire.

"It looks like Saffron Waldon will go straight for the Irish Guineas. He has come on a lot from his last race and it might be wrong not to give him his chance in the Guineas," said O'Brien.

The Leopardstown winner High King also has a Dante entry but is more likely to wait instead for a listed race at York on Thursday. "I'm more interested in taking baby steps with him rather than make a big jump," he added.

John Hassett's Back On Top, which changed hands only last week after a runaway victory at Punchestown, carried the colours of John Magnier to victory in the Murphy's Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney yesterday.

Raised 18lb for his most recent success, he again defied the handicapper when leading over the third last flight and coming home with three lengths to spare over Miss Emer under Shay Barry.