Barathea Guest's connections face a Classic dilemma as they ponder whether to go for the Entenmann's Irish 2000 Guineas or the Vodafone Derby.
With just two weeks between the two Classics, trainer George Margarson has ruled out going for both and a decision on whether to go to Ireland next Saturday is expected tomorrow
Barathea Guest, third to King's Best in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas, is not as yet in the Irish equivalent and would have to be supplemented on Tuesday at a cost of £25,000.
"I'm waiting to hear from the owner's racing manager Tim Corby. We'll have to wait and see whether we go or not. It's still very open, but I'll know by tomorrow," said Margarson.
"We are going to work him on Saturday and again on Tuesday. We are going to leave it until the last minute.
"The ground is in our favour. We are not worried about that. He's also in the Derby, so we do have the option. You've got to leave your options open for the horse and see what happens.
"The horse is in good form. He's very well, so there's not a problem there. We've got to sit down and make our minds up. It's not easy."
Margarson has kept Barathea Guest ticking over since his brave Newmarket effort which came 18 days after his win in the Group Three Lanes End Greenham Stakes.
"We've not done much with him since Newmarket. We've just been playing about with him. He's an easy horse to train," he said.
"The French Guineas came a bit quick for us having been a week after the English and the Irish is spot on, but it's a week too late for the Derby.
"It's not without its possibilities. I wish the Irish race was a week earlier so there would be three weeks between the Derby."
But whether Barathea Guest will stay the mile and a half of the Derby is the obvious imponderable.
"I'm about as wise as Sir Michael Stoute is with King's Best. But if you're not in you can't win," commented Margarson.
"There's half a chance he'll get the trip, but it's a tricky one to call."
The temptation, however is great.
"It's an 800 grand race and there's only one Derby," he added.
