Ante-post punters were left reeling by a double Classic blow yesterday. Within hours of news breaking that leading fancy Etizaaz would miss Sunday's Sagitta 1,000 Guineas came the withdrawal of one-time favourite Stravinsky from the previous day's 2,000 Guineas.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was market leader for the Newmarket Classic after a winning debut at York last August and was still quoted as short as 8 to 1 for the race yesterday morning even after three subsequent defeats.
His trainer, successful with King Of Kings 12 months ago, appears likely to rely on Orpen - backed into favouritism since he was nominated as first string, and the mount of Michael Kinane - having also declared Lavery and Saffron Waldon.
"It looks now like we will only have one runner in each of the English Guineas at Newmarket, Orpen and Sunspangled," said O'Brien. "We took out Stravinsky, who could go for the French 2000 Guineas, again only if the ground is good or quicker."
Godolphin supplied three of the 22 horses left in the race at yesterday's declaration stage, with Island Sands the shortest-priced of a trio also including Easaar and Rhythm Band.
A total of 27 fillies were left in the 1,000 yesterday, raising the fear that up to four may have to be eliminated.
