Wootton Bassett Hang-Ups Continue

Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), the popular outside contender for the 2000 Guineas, is not getting much luck in his prep routine as Richard Fahey revealed that he is struggling to find a suitable spot for a racecourse gallop. The mere fact that the undefeated three-year-old even still has the Guineas in his cross-hairs is impressive, especially when you consider the complications he was forced to overcome earlier in his seasonal preparations.

Quick ground in all corners of Britain is complicating the 2nd racecourse gallop that Fahey believes is the next step in the bay colt's Guineas preparations.

Speaking to At The Races, Fahey stated “we're just struggling to find somewhere to take him... The ground is quick everywhere and we're on the back foot... We need some rain badly.”

The popular conditioner said that all hope wasn't lost if a suitable course couldn't be found, but the idea of running Wootton Bassett on the practice course at his home facility. His previous racecourse gallop came at Newcastle.

Wootton Bassett is among virtually all of the outside contenders for the Qipco 2000 Guineas who find themselves currently on the drift. Punters can thank Frankel (Galileo) and his emphatic seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Greenham Stakes for that development. Many observers expect Frankel to go off at 2/5 or less in the first Classic of the season, with Wootton Bassett currently available at a 16/1 up from the 10/1 he traded at for much of the off-season.