Gosden Dilemma

Everything seemed fine. Too Darn Hot was just that – hot property. John Gosden's colt had made the headlines with four impressive two-year-old wins. A sparkling win on debut at Sandown. Lord Lloyd-Webber was all smiling. Pundits hadn't seen so much joy since Any Dream Will Do...  

The conclusion of this son of Dubawi's formative season saw a ''very readily'' verdict on a two-and-three-quarter length in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) a Newmarket, beating Advertise and Aidan O'Brien's Anthony Van Dyke.  

What next?  

As far as bookmakers were concerned this chestnut colt was heading for Classic race success. It was a matter of turning up and the job was done.  

Then the whispers started... The stable star: ''There isn't a problem!''  

The announcement: '' Too Darn Hot to miss 2,000 Guineas as Gosden team run out of time''  

''Although he has shown great improvement in the last nine days, Too Darn Hot will not be ready in time to run in the 2,000 Guineas.''  

The colt had been a warm ante-post favourite ended up a late withdrawal when making a no show at the Greenham Stakes. A splint problem was found after a pre-Newbury spin and the colt was confined to light exercise. Basically, there wouldn't be enough time to reach peak fitness for the 2,000 Guineas.  

Gosden said: "Although he's shown great improvement in the last nine days, Too Darn Hot will not be ready in time to run in the 2,000 Guineas.  

"It's unfortunate but it's only two weeks away and that does not allow us sufficient time to get the required work into him. 

"Consequently he'll miss Newmarket. The two races we have in mind now are both next month, the Dante Stakes at York and the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh."  

What next?  

Too Darn Hot has future engagements, so his return is likely to be sooner rather than later.  

An entry for the 1m2½f (1m2f56y) Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo) on 16th May could be a preparation race for the Irish 2,000 Guineas which takes place at the Curragh on 25th May. Whether punters will be interested in taking 3/1 after the problems of late is another story.  

The Epsom Derby is the race connections that will be desperate to content. There shouldn't be any problems to make the day on 1st June.