Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) is likely to make his reappearance in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas later this month. Having won the G3 Acomb S. at York last August, the Charlie Hills-trained grey went on to chase home Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster before being touched off by subsequent G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy at the same track. A tilt at Saturday's Classic at Newmarket had been under serious consideration, but Hills was forced to rule his charge out of it and is now eyeing the Irish equivalent at The Curragh on May 25.
“He just gave one or two coughs and his scope wasn't 100%,” said the Lambourn-based trainer. “We've knocked that on the head now, but Newmarket was going to be too soon for him. It's unfortunate as it did look a very open 2000 Guineas this year, but we're doing right by the horse. We've given ourselves a bit more time and the plan is to go to for the Irish Guineas. He'll probably have another racecourse gallop between now and then.”
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