Racing: Favourite Aljabr is doubtful for 2,000

ALJABR, THE 2,000 Guineas favourite, may miss the race on 1 May at Newmarket and instead tackle the Kentucky Derby on dirt at Churchill Downs the same day.

Aljabr has headed the Guineas betting since winning the Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp last September, but Godolphin's racing manager, Simon Crisford, said Aljabr is among their entries for the first leg of the US Triple Crown, along with Comeonmom, Wordly Manner and Charmes.

Crisford said: "We will wait to see how he gets on in his trials in Dubai before making a decision on where he will run. We are keeping our options openbut his owner, Sheikh Hamdan, is keen to consider the Kentucky Derby for Aljabr if he can demonstrate the colt has the ability to handle the surface. Aljabr has the right credentials for the Kentucky Derby and when we had him here last winter he always moved very nicely on the sand track at Al Quoz."

Godolphin could instead be represented in the Guineas by Josr Algarhoud, Iftitah or Dubai Millennium. William Hill and Ladbrokes reacted by offering Aljabr at 4-1 "with a run" for the Guineas.

2,000 GUINEAS

H L T

Aljabr *4-1 *4-1 6-1

Mujahid 7-1 8-1 7-1

Stravinsky 10-1 10-1 10-1

H William Hill, L Ladbrokes, T Tote * with a run