O'Brien hopeful of getting Rip to Ascot Aidan O'Brien is putting in his best efforts to get Rip Van Winkle ready in time for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week. The colt is a favourite of Johnny Murtagh but just came up a little short against Sea The Stars in the 2000 Guineas, Derby and Eclipse before running out an emphatic winner of the Sussex Stakes. That was the last run for Rip Van Winkle, who has had a number of problems with injury. "We are getting there with him and are happy enough with the horse. I think there is a reasonable chance we will get him to Ascot, but it's not definite just yet," O'Brien told the Irish Times.
