Joseph O’Brien has allayed fears about the well being of leading Epsom Derby contender Kingsbarns.
The Galileo colt headed ante-post lists for the Epsom Classic throughout the winter following his thoroughly impressive display in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, but trainer Aidan O’Brien revealed late last month his three-year-old had suffered a minor setback.
The master of Ballydoyle effectively ruled Kingsbarns out of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and he has been a notable drifter in the Derby betting in the last 24 hours, with some bookmakers promoting the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Telescope to outright favouritism.
However, the trainer’s son Joseph, who rides another of his father’s leading Derby hopes in Battle Of Marengo in Sunday’s Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown, reports Kingsbarns to be on course to take in one of the Derby trials.
“I don’t think there’s any change to the situation we were in before,” he said.
“He’s back cantering and we’re hoping he’ll be ready to run in a Derby trial somewhere.
“He was working very well before he had the setback and he’s an exciting horse for this year.”
