O'Brien: Guineas favourite Saxon Warrior may take in trial before Newmarket

Aidan O'Brien raised the prospect of 2,000 Guineas favourite Saxon Warrior making his seasonal debut in the Leopardstown Guineas Trial after reporting that the unbeaten colt had put on significant condition since last season.

O'Brien was speaking at Naas on Tuesda when 80 of his team exercised on the racecourse in the customary early-season Ballydoyle awayday.

The trainer said: "Saxon Warrior has put on a lot of condition since last season and we haven't ruled out the possibility of running him in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown [on April 14], although it's more likely he'll go straight to Newmarket once we think he's ready."

Dream team: the training legend with jockey Ryan MooreCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ryan Moore teamed up with Qipco 2,000 Guineas candidate Gustav Klimt, Prix de l'Opera winner Rhododendron and St Leger winner Capri, while Donnacha O'Brien rode Saxon Warrior and star stayer Order Of St George. Seamie Heffernan partnered US Navy Flag and The Pentagon.

"It's something we've been doing for many years. First at the Curragh and then at Naas last year to give the horses a day away from Ballydoyle," said O'Brien, whose horses had galloped in four groups. "We didn't ask any questions of them but we're happy with what they did."

He confirmed that Gustav Klimt, who missed the rest of season after winning the Superlative Stakes in July, and/or US Navy Flag, last year's champion juvenile, might also run in the Leopardstown Trial before Newmarket.

Qipco 1,000 Guineas favourite Clemmie remained at home in Ballydoyle. "She missed a few days last week due to a stone bruise and while she is back cantering we decided against bringing her today," said O'Brien.

Outlining plans for some of his other stars, O'Brien indicated Capri was likely to have a couple of runs before heading for the Coronation Cup while Order Of St George will probably start off in the Vintage Crop Stakes en route to the Gold Cup.

Rhododendron, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on her final start last year, is likely to reappear in the Prix Ganay.

O'Brien's daughter Ana rode Cypress Creek, a twice-raced maiden brother to Capri, in one of the working groups. She has been riding out at Ballydoyle in recent weeks but yesterday was the first time she had ridden on a racecourse since suffering serious injuries in a fall at Killarney in July.

Back on course: Ana O’Brien keeps a tight hold on Derby entry Cypress CreekCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

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