BIJOU D'INDE remains firmly on track for the First National Building Society Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh next Sunday despite a slight injury scare on Saturday.
His trainer Mark Johnston was at Longchamp yesterday, but in his absence, wife Deidre was keen to play down reports that the colt's sore near-fore foot was anything other than a niggling annoyance to an otherwise smooth preparation.
"It is important to stress that this injury never put his participation in the race in doubt. He definitely runs. But all it meant was that he didn't gallop on Saturday when we wanted him to.
"He seems a lot better this morning Bijou D'Inde performed above the expectations of all except those close to him when running a short head and a head third behind Mark Of Esteem and Even Top at 14 to 1 in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket after which Johnston, with a satisfied smile, informed all who would listen that the Irish 2,000 Guineas would be the perfect target.
The three-year-old lost fully 40 kilos after his gruelling effort in the first colt's classic, but has since put on condition. "He has put most back on and his weight is pretty good now," the trainer's wife added.
