Trainer Aidan O’Brien (centre) ahead of the Betfred 1000 Guineas Stakes on Betfred 1000 Guineas Day of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk. Picture date: Sunday May 3, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. Credit: PAAIDAN O’BRIEN has warned Derby second-fav Constitution River could miss the world’s most prestigious race.
And instead a beaten stablemate is likely to join Benvenuto Cellini in the Epsom Classic.
Aidan O’Brien could send Constitution River to the French Derby instead of the Epsom equivalent Credit: PA
The awesome three-year-old was emphatic in his track-record victory at Chester and 1m2f at Chantilly may play more to his strengths Credit: Getty
Constitution River was brilliant in setting a new track record when landing last week’s Listed Dee Stakes at Chester.
He is as short as 4-1 for next month’s 1m4f Derby.
But he could instead head to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club – the French Derby – over 1m2f instead.
O’Brien said: “We’re looking at Benvenuto Cellini for Epsom and the horse that ran yesterday (Pierre Bonnard).
“Constitution River could possibly go to France, it’s not written in stone.
“Montreal and Hawk Mountain could go to France, too.
“Christmas Day goes to the Dante, as could Action.
“Christmas Day has probably stepped up from the Ballysax and he could be interesting (for Epsom).
“Constitution River went to Chester knowing he could be an Epsom or a French horse.
“We were happy that was a mile and a quarter, just in case he was going to go to France.
“If he goes to France he’ll have to go right-handed. But we felt going through all his work that he looked very different.
“He looked very good last year, he had a good long break and we were hoping that it could happen, what he did.
“He seems to have come out of the race well.
“Could he get the trip? He’s one of these mile-and-a-quarter horses that could get a mile and a half, but you couldn’t be sure.
“If you were riding him a mile and a half you’d ride him patiently. He has a lot of speed and a lot of class.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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