MICHAEL KINANE does not expect to know until early next week whether he will be free to take over from Walter Swinburn on favourite Entrepreneur in the 2,000 Guineas.

A clash of fixtures between the Newmarket Classic meeting and the Curragh on Saturday week has left the in demand Irishman unable to give a positive response to trainer Michael Stoute.

Stoute offered Kinane the mount on Entrepreneur, who also heads the Derby betting, following Swinburn's surprise announcement that he is to take a sabbatical.

But Kinane's availability hinges on the participation of the Dermot Weld trained Dance Design, last year's Irish Oaks winner, who could make her comeback in the Mooresbridge Stakes the same day.

"I have been asked if I am available. Dance Design may or may not run and we will just have to wait and see. The likelihood is I will know early next week," he said yesterday.

"Wally is a good friend. I spoke to him last week so I was shocked and surprised at his decision. He has had a lot of problems and I just hope he can recover and come back as well as ever."

Entrepreneur, Ladbrokes' 4-1 favourite, was one of three Stoute trained colts among the 32 that remain engaged in the 2,000 Guineas~ after yesterday's forfeit stage.

In Command, who finished fourth in the Greenham Stakes, was the most significant withdrawal but even in his absence Maktoum Al-Maktoum could still be represented by both Desert Story and Yalaietanee, according to racing manager Joe Mercer.

"Sheikh Maktoum arrives on Sunday or Monday, which is five days before the Guineas, and will discuss it with Michael Stoute before making a decision," he said.

"With the weather forecast to break we could end up running them both in the English Guineas if it was good ground or good to soft.

"In Command ran a slight temperature and gave a couple of coughs after Newbury, so Sheikh Maktoum said we should take him out," Mercer added.