sport

Watch on road to recovery

Harbour Watch will soon step up his recovery from injury as his connections dream of what might have been in this weekend's Qipco 2000 Guineas.

The Richard Hannon-trained colt was unbeaten in three juvenile starts and was towards the forefront of the Guineas market before a setback ruled him out of the Rowley Mile Classic.

David Redvers, racing manager for part owners Qatar Bloodstock, feels the three-year-old would have taken a lot of beating had he lined up on Saturday.

"He's about to start cantering again and he looks absolutely magnificent," said Redvers.

"It's heart-breaking he's not running in the Guineas this weekend as there is definitely not a single horse in the race I would swap him for.

"We're looking forward to getting him back on track as he is very, very exciting."

With Harbour Watch out of the reckoning, Redvers is able to assess the race from a neutral perspective and he believes the French-trained runners merit the utmost respect.

He said: "I can't remember a Guineas as open as this for a long time. Camelot is obviously the form pick, but it will be interesting to see what happens with the ground.

"If it is on soft side then the French horses would be interesting as they will handle it and they have some decent form in the book as well.

"If it doesn't go to Camelot, it could easily go to France."