Caravaggio changes course to Deauville or Newmarket

Caravaggio, second favourite for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, is set to go straight to Newmarket or tackle the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Deauville in what amounts to a change of tack.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien had said he was looking at running the colt in the Listed Patton Stakes over seven furlongs at Dundalk on April 12, before a decision was made regarding Classic plans.

However, speaking on Friday, the trainer said: "We took Caravaggio to Naas on Monday and were happy with what he did there. So we've changed our mind about running him at Dundalk and the plan now is that he'll reappear in either the Guineas at Newmarket or in the French Guineas."

Caravaggio, a son of Scat Daddy, was unbeaten in four starts last season. He has not run since landing the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh in August and has never raced beyond six furlongs, but that has not prevented him from figuring prominently in the Guineas market, his odds ranging from 5-1 to 8-1. Stablemate Churchill is the 6-4 favourite.

Qipco 2,000 Guineas entries