O’Brien waits on Rip Van Winkle decision

Posted on Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am and is filed under Uncategorized.

Rip Van Winkle is set to appear in this afternoon’s Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, despite suffering a late setback in his preparations for the meeting’s most prestigious race.

The colt is believed to have injured one of his hind hoofs during training on Tuesday, but will still be making the journey to Goodwood Racecourse.

Rip Van Winkle is presently the market favourite to land his first group one title of the season, ahead of 1,000 Guineas winner, Ghanaati. Trainer Aidan O’Brien will make a decision over whether or not to run his colt in the Sussex Stakes late on Wednesday morning.

“We will reassess the situation when we get to the course when a final decision will be made,” O’Brien told the Racing Post.

Meanwhile, Ballydoyle jockey, Johnny Murtagh, was upbeat about his prospects of landing a group one win for his stable with Rip Van Winkle.

“I’m really looking forward to riding the horse again,” Murtagh told the Racing Post. “I think everyone knows the high regard I hold him - hopefully this will be the day he shows everybody.”