Racing:Aidan O'Brien has voiced genuine concerns about Rip Van Winkle's fitness ahead of Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Ballydoyle star makes his seasonal debut at the highest possible level - meeting the likes of Goldikova and Paco Boy in a mouthwatering Group One test over a mile.
Rip Van Winkle hasn't run since finishing down the field behind Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic last November, and O'Brien admits that a lack of race-fitness is a concern.
He told The Racing Post: "Rip Van Winkle is in good form and we think that he has done really well from three to four and definitely gone the right way.
"But because he hasn't had a run this year, we are genuinely worried about his fitness, as most of our horses usually come on a good bit from their first run."
Rip Van Winkle was a brilliant winner of the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last season, and gave Sea The Stars a memorable battle in the Eclipse at Sandown.
