Gstaad given Prix Morny option after missing Phoenix

Gstaad could be rerouted to the Prix Morny at Deauville after bypassing Saturday’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes winner was due to clash with his fellow Royal Ascot-winning stablemate True Love in the Curragh Group One but the handler was not totally satisfied with Gstaad’s condition on Friday.

After overnight monitoring, O’Brien opted to declare Gstaad a non-runner and as long as the son of Starspangledbanner returns to form in the coming days, he could seek consolation in the French Group One on August 24.

O’Brien said: “He had no temperature and everything was right, but he didn’t eat up.

“Looking at that type of thing, he could have a temperature tomorrow and if he has a temperature tomorrow, every hour he has a temperature he needs a week off.

“If he doesn’t have a temperature and nothing is wrong in the next few days he’ll go to Deauville for the Morny.

“The original plan for the filly (True Love) was to go for the Morny. I don’t know why I left her in (the Phoenix Stakes) but there was something in my head and that’s what happened and how it is.

“Sometimes when you are looking at them every day it’s a feeling you get.”