Fabre: Persian King is '90 per cent sure' to skip 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket

Trainer Andre Fabre has underlined his preference to wait for the French equivalent of the 2,000 Guineas with Persian King, rather than head to Newmarket a week on Saturday.

The son of Kingman was as short as 4-1 for the Qipco-backed Classic at Newmarket following the defection of Too Darn Hot on Saturday, but Fabre is sticking to his preference for the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains on May 12 for Persian King, who bolted up over the course and distance at Longchamp in the Prix de Fontainebleau last Sunday.

Card and betting for Qipco 2,000 Guineas

The one caveat Fabre continues to place on that plan is Persian King's need for a sound surface, and, while Paris was sweltering under 26C heat on Sunday, a downpour at Longchamp could yet see the colt rerouted to Newmarket.

Fabre said: "Persian King is in great form and on course to run in the French Guineas.

"The door is not entirely shut to Newmarket if there was a deluge at Longchamp. This is unlikely, and therefore he is 90 per cent sure to run in France."

Bet365 reacted by pushing Persian King out to 10-1, while Ten Sovereigns is now a best-priced 3-1 with Betfred to become the first Middle Park winner to double up in the 2,000 Guineas since Rodrigo De Triano in 1992.

Wednesday's Craven Stakes winner Skardu is now no bigger than 13-2 and challenging for second-favouritism.

"Skardu's obviously progressed from his first start last year and I can't fault him," said trainer William Haggas on the Luck On Sunday show.

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