Hugo Palmer rules out Irish 2,000 Guineas attempt for Dubawi Legend

Dubawi Legend will miss the Irish 2,000 Guineas this weekend in favour of a trip to France or Royal Ascot after it emerged there were excuses for his disappointing effort in the 2,000 Guineas.

Last year's Dewhurst Stakes runner-up had been touted as a dark horse for the opening Classic of the season at Newmarket, but trailed in last of the 15 runners – beaten 31 lengths – behind Coroebus, which left trainer Hugo Palmer bemused at his no-show.

However, it has since emerged that an abscess had been developing in the son of Dubawi's mouth and while that has cleared up in time, he will skip another Classic tilt at the Curragh on Saturday.

"He won't go to the Curragh. He came home and we discovered an abscess in his mouth on the Monday, which had brewed over the weekend," Palmer said.

Dubawi Legend (far right): was second in the Dewhurst Stakes behind Native Trail last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"That had been caused by a broken tooth that had got very sharp, but there had been no indication of anything being wrong beforehand.

"We're not sure whether he caused the abscess by pulling or whether he was in discomfort and that made him pull. That is all resolved and hopefully we'll get a clearer line on him next time."

Full racecard for Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20)

Dubawi Legend could now head straight to Royal Ascot for a tilt at the Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs or head to Longchamp for the Prix de Pontarme later this month beforehand.

Palmer added: "He'll either go to Longchamp on May 26 for a Listed race or we'll wait and go straight to the Jersey. I still don't really know what happened in the Guineas – he threw it away. He didn't relax and never got into a rhythm."

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