Twain ‘still not 100 per cent' and will miss Royal Ascot
A son of Wootton Bassett, Twain has only had two runs – both within eight days of each other last year – yet he was able to win a Group One in France on just his second start.
He beat his stable companion Mount Kilimanjaro in the Criterium International who has won the Dee Stakes at Chester subsequently.
Twain became something of a gamble for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket when it became apparent that winter favourite The Lion In Winter was struggling to be ready in time.
However, just days before the race he was ruled out of it by a dirty scope and it was announced if he was ready he would be supplemented for the Irish Guineas. The confirmations for that came and went on Tuesday, though, and his name did not appear.
O'Brien told the PA news agency: 'He hasn't been supplemented for the Guineas.
'It's the same issue he had before Newmarket, he's still not 100 per cent.
'I don't think he'll make it to Ascot now if he hasn't made it this weekend, we'll probably give him a little bit more time now.'
Dreamy, owned by the Niarchos family's Flaxman Stables in partnership with Coolmore, is a filly by American Pharoah out of Tapestry, O'Brien's Yorkshire Oaks winner.
She won a Goodwood maiden on her debut and a Group Three at the Curragh afterwards but was only fourth to Desert Flower in the Fillies' Mile.
O'Brien expected her to come into her own over middle distances this season, but plans are now on the back burner until the second half of the campaign.
'Dreamy will miss the first half of the season,' said O'Brien.
'Hopefully she'll be back in the autumn when there'll be some nice races for her.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
30 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Lazzat fends off Satono Reve to take Jubilee crown
Satono Reve was sent off the 2-1 favourite to become the first Japanese winner at the Royal meeting and was travelling powerfully throughout the contest in the hands of Joao Moreira. However, it was Jerome Reynier's Lazzat, who made every yard in the hands of James Doyle, who stayed on strongest in the closing stages, striking on his first start for owners Wathnan Racing at odds of 9-2 to continue a fine week for both his rider and owners. There was drama after the finish as Lazzat unshipped Doyle as the pair returned to receive the Ascot applause, with the four-year-old running loose for some time before eventually being caught and safely returned to the stables. Lazzat was adding a second Group One win to his tally after landing last year's Prix Maurice de Gheest, but he had been beaten in Australia when sent on his travels at the end of the campaign. Reynier, saddling his first Royal Ascot winner, said: 'He did (win at the top level) as a three-year-old in the Maurice de Gheest in Deauville but after having been all the way to Australia and Hong Kong, I was a bit scared that it was going to be tough to find Lazzat the same as he was but obviously we have been trying him over a mile to open his options, but he's a pure sprinter and we will stick to the sprinting distances over the straight courses for his future. 'That was a pretty tough challenge (from Satono Reve). I've been watching all his races and he's always coming late and he's always running on but James had a really good feeling with the horse and when the Japanese came to him, he put his ears back and tried again and he said there was no way he was going to pass him today.' Paddy Power cut Lazzat to 7-2 favourite from 8-1 for the July Cup at Newmarket, but Reynier feels that is an unlikely option. He added: 'The July Cup is coming a little quickly I guess but maybe we'll defend his crown in the Maurice de Gheest, we've got the Sprint Cup and we can be back here in October because he can handle any ground, if the ground is heavy he can do it then as well. 'He's a very good champion. Today everything went right for once and we're happy to have a first Royal Ascot winner, especially for Wathnan and Nurlan Bizakov as a breeder. I'm very happy for the connections involved.'
Glasgow Times
30 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Jofra Archer to make red-ball return for Sussex in clash with Durham
The England fast bowler's appearance in the Division One clash at the Banks Homes Riverside, starting on Sunday, will be his first red-ball outing in more than four years following a litany of injuries. He was surprisingly absent when Sussex announced a 12-strong squad to travel to Chester-le-Street on their website, raising concerns the 30-year-old had suffered another frustrating injury setback. But the England and Wales Cricket Board later clarified Archer was among Sussex's contingent for the contest. Jofra Archer made the last of his 13 Test appearances more than four years ago (John Walton/PA) It is the latest and arguably most important staging post in a carefully managed return to action, with the aim of preparing Archer for a Test comeback in England's marquee series against India this summer. If Archer comes through unscathed at Chester-le-Street, he may be primed for the third Test at Lord's – where he has plenty of history – from July 10-14, having earned the last of his 13 caps in February 2021. Archer bowled England to victory in the 2019 World Cup final at the home of cricket, where he began his Test career weeks later in the 2023 Ashes, engaging in a gripping duel with Australia's Steve Smith. How highly he is regarded by England has been underlined by him being on a full central contract since then, despite stress reactions in his elbow and back limiting him to ODIs and T20s in recent years.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Jack Draper's Queen's hopes dashed by big-serving Jiri Lehecka
It was a tough loss for Draper on home soil with the British number one angrily smashing his racket and damaging a digital advertising hoarding as the match slipped away. But it has been a successful week for the 23-year-old, with his run to the last four earning him a top-four seeding at Wimbledon. 'It means a lot,' said Lehecka. 'You don't meet a player like Jack every day, he's an amazing competitor.' One poor service game at the start, punctuated by two aces and a double fault on break point, ultimately cost Draper the first set. He did not get a sniff on the Lehecka serve, with his fellow 23-year-old regularly sending down aces approaching 140mph. Jiri Lehecka celebrates reaching the final (Adam Davy/PA) In the second Draper began making inroads, a stunning flicked backhand cross-court winner helping bring up his first break points. But Lehecka repelled all four to hold for 2-2, with Draper beginning to cut a frustrated figure on the baseline. With singer Jon Bon Jovi watching from the posh seats, the tension was briefly lifted with a blast of his biggest hit 'Livin' on a Prayer' at the change over. Draper re-emerged in a blaze of glory, an ace sealing a hold to love before a winner down the line levelled the match. Jon Bon Jovi, top left, was in attendance for the semi-final (Adam Davy/PA) Lehecka forced a break point at 4-4 but netted after a long, tense exchange and Draper survived. However, Lehecka was looking the stronger and, after a comfortable hold, snatched the break for 6-5 with a stunning backhand winner. Draper smashed his racket in anger, earning a code violation, before Lehecka finished the job to win in two hours and seven minutes, ensuring Britain's wait for a first Queen's winner since Andy Murray in 2016 goes on.
