Setback for One Thousand Guineas Favorite Precise

Aidan O'Brien is confident One Thousand Guineas (G1) favorite Precise (IRE) still has plenty of time to get geared up for Newmarket despite her preparation being hampered by a minor setback. Speaking at a public workout at the Curragh March 29, the trainer also offered an update on his Two Thousand Guineas (G1) squad following Albert Einstein (IRE)'s surprise defeat March 28, with Gstaad (GB), a top-priced 7-1 chance for the classic, partnered by Ryan Moore in his work. Precise was the standout 2-year-old filly last season, recording four wins on the bounce after finishing second on her debut at Fairyhouse in July. Following victory in the Prestige Stakes (G3) at Goodwood, she produced a sensational turn of foot to land the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at the Curragh before bolting up by 3 1/4 lengths when stepped up in trip for the Fillies' Mile (G1) at Newmarket. She has been the favorite for the One Thousand Guineas since and is a best-priced 3-1 favorite to give Ballydoyle its eighth win in the race, with unbeaten stablemate Diamond Necklace (IRE) next in the market at 5-1. While plenty of Ballydoyle stars were put through their paces Sunday, Precise only did a canter with a stablemate as O'Brien is looking to build her back up slowly. But the trainer is optimistic that she is not in a significant race against time to get to Newmarket May 3. "Precise had a temperature a couple of weeks ago, so we had to just back off her and slowly build her back up," he said. "She hasn't done a lot for the last couple of weeks, and she went to the Curragh for a day out. "If she comes out of that well, she'll have plenty of time to be trained for the One Thousand Guineas, and she was forward enough at the stage (of the infection). She had a good level of fitness before we had to back off her, and the next couple of weeks will tell a lot. "She only cantered up with a lead horse at the Curragh, and we were very happy with her." Time will also tell whether connections persist with Albert Einstein over longer trips or revert to sprinting after he finished sixth on his return in the Gladness Stakes March 28. A crack at sprinting targets rather than the mile of the Guineas was mooted after the defeat, and bookmakers reacted by pushing him out to as big as 25-1 (from 7-2 favorite) for the Guineas May 2. But he could still be given the chance to show he can be effective over a mile, and a decision will be made on his Newmarket participation in the next few weeks. O'Brien said: "We obviously thought he was very quick, and with those horses that have that speed and are quick thinkers, it's usually hard to get them to go slow enough to get a mile. "It was more important that he behaved well and was beaten at the Curragh than behave badly and win. We felt that he did behave well. He settled, but he was a little bit strong in Ryan's hands. Ryan said he was by no means unmanageable. "He felt they were going very slowly. In the full light of day, you'd have to be happy enough. "It would be very easy to make him a very fast horse. Sometimes it's hard to go against nature, so it's possible he could go back sprinting. We'll see how he is over the next couple of weeks, and the lads will decide if they give him a chance at a mile or go back sprinting." If he does revert to shorter distances, he could come across another rapid O'Brien-trained 3-year-old in Norfolk Stakes (G2) winner Charles Darwin (IRE). "If Albert Einstein went back to sprinting, him and Charles Darwin could be on the same route and split up after that. They could meet in their trial, but we'll see. Charles Darwin did go very well at the Curragh, but he hasn't run in a long time. Wayne (Lordan) was very happy with him." If Albert Einstein does not go to Newmarket, Ballydoyle will still be responsible for at least one big contender, with group 1 winners Gstaad and Puerto Rico (IRE) in the mix. O'Brien added on Sunday: "Ryan was riding Gstaad this morning, and he had it in his head that he could be the horse for Newmarket. Obviously, Puerto Rico is there, and we'll see how they come out of the work and see how Albert Einstein is as well. "I'd imagine Ryan picked to ride Gstaad because he's thinking of him for Newmarket, but we'll see how the next couple of weeks go."