RICHARD FAHEY will not rush into making future plans for Wootton Bassett after his star performer lost his unbeaten record in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp.
The Iffraaj colt had been rerouted to France after failing to make the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket at the start of the month, with a setback in early January meaning he missed a few weeks of work.
He was returning to the scene of his finest hour having given his trainer and champion jockey Paul Hanagan a first taste of Group One glory in Paris on Arc day last October and despite being drawn wide in stall 14, he was sent off a hot favourite.
With his hand slightly forced, Hanagan bounced Wootton Bassett out of the stalls and was able to tack right across to the rail.
But he was soon pulling for his head and that would ultimately cost him dear at the business end of the race.
The market leader still held the advantage turning into the straight, but he tired inside the last couple of furlongs and passed the post in fifth place.
Didier Guillemin’s Tin Horse took the victory, quickening up well in the hands of Thierry Jarnet to get the better of the strong-travelling Havane Smoker.
Fahey said: “He’s just run a bit fresh I’m afraid and done too much.
“He might not have stayed as well, but I wouldn’t like to condemn him on that score at the moment.
“I’m not thinking about where he’ll go next at the moment. I just want to get him home and we’ll go from there.”
CHRIS WRIGHT'S NAP: Canaveral (5pm Bath)
