QIPCO 2000 Guineas on the radar for US star Hootenanny

US raider Hootenanny wins at Royal Ascot. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

American trainer Wesley Ward has reiterated that the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday 2 May is still under consideration for his Royal Ascot winner Hootenanny.

The three-year-old won the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal meeting last season before being narrowly denied by The Wow Signal in the Prix Morny.

Hootenanny, who is owned by Coolmore, was also the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita in the hands of Frankie Dettori and he could now be tasked with a tilt at the British Classic on the Rowley Mile.

Ward said to the Press Association: "He’s going great. He had a nice workout this morning and we’re really happy with him.

"We’re thinking about it (QIPCO 2000 Guineas). We lost a little time due to the weather here in Kentucky during the winter, but the race is the first Saturday in May, so we should be right on it.

"I’ll know more when I work him on the grass in a week."

Hootenanny might not be the only Classic contender from Ward’s North American yard, with Albany Stakes runner-up Sunset Glow a possibility for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday 3 May.

"She’s doing well and she could go to Newmarket as well. We’ll see," said Ward.