Leading 2,000 Guineas hope Quorto injured and out of Newmarket Classic

Quorto, who had been 8-1 second favourite for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, will miss the first British Classic of the season after suffering a setback in training in Dubai.

The unbeaten son of Dubawi was Godolphin's number one hope for the early Classics. He was last seen defeating the Aidan O'Brien-trained Anthony Van Dyck in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh last September.

Since then, Quorto had joined some of trainer Charlie Appleby's others stars at winter training camp at Marmoom Stables in Dubai in January, but he is now sidelined until at least the second half of the season.

Watch Quorto win the National Stakes at the Curragh

Appleby, who landed a coveted first Derby in Godolphin's blue colours with Masar last year, revealed on Wednesday: "Unfortunately Quorto has suffered a soft tissue injury in training in Dubai which will mean he will have to miss the 2,000 Guineas.

"It's a real shame as we had high hopes for him this year. We'll know more when he's scanned for a second time in a couple of weeks."

Appleby added: "It's too early to say when he could be back in action but we've been here before with these injuries and we'll see how he recovers."

Before his victory in Ireland, Quorto had won a 6f novice stakes on his debut at Newmarket last June before following up in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes over the same course the following month.

After the Racing Post had tweeted the news about Quorto, 2,000 Guineas favourite Too Darn Hot was cut to odds-on by some firms, with 6-5 the best price now available.

Paddy Power trimmed Too Darn Hot to 11-10 (from 11-8) and spokesman Paul Binfield said: "With Godolphin's number one hope now out we've had to take a knife to the price of Too Darn Hot, who was already clear favourite."

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