COOLMORE UNDER ATTACK?

It is being claimed by loyal Irish Reds - with a Cork accent – that Coolmore's Ballydoyle operation was attacked by 'operatives' last week in reprisal for the Irish owners' decision to sell their Man United stake to Malcolm Glazer - and that it won't be the last such action. Coolmore have allegedly been forced to introduce stringent 24hr security after United fans entered the stable complex, covered the gallops in red, white and black paint and then festooned the horses in the United colours.

Coolmore's top horse for the 2000 Guineas last weekend, Footsteps In The Sand, was supposedly 'heavily spooked' during proceedings and became unsettled throughout the week, allegedly leading to the mount's shock withdrawal from Saturday's race, won by Coolmore's bitter rivals in Sheik Maktoum's stable.

The horse’s absence was officially attributed to a minor ailment and Coolmore are denying any such incidents took place.