Aidan O’Brien says a “computer error” led to Albert Einstein and Gstaad being mistakenly scratched from the Betfred 2000 Guineas.
The much-vaunted Albert Einstein headed ante-post lists for the Rowley Mile Classic prior to his disappointing reverse in Saturday's Gladness Stakes at the Curragh, after which the Ballydoyle handler suggested his charge could revert to sprinting but a final decision on his Newmarket participation would be made in due course.
Gstaad, winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at the end of his two-year-old campaign, looked well placed to assume the position of O'Brien's chief hope of winning an 11th 2000 Guineas after pleasing connections in a racecourse gallop at the Curragh on Sunday.
However, he too was scratched from the May 2 showpiece on Tuesday morning.
When contacted, O'Brien told the Press Association said: "It's a computer error, we're trying to get them back in."
A BHA spokesperson said in a statement: "Following the scratchings earlier today of Gstaad and Albert Einstein from the Betfred 2000 Guineas, trainer Aidan O'Brien contacted the BHA to explain that this had happened in error.
"Such scratchings are immediately communicated to the media and betting markets. This is a policy that is applied consistently across all races in Britain and to all connections and, while we understand that this will be a frustrating outcome for all concerned, it is for this reason that the horses in question cannot be reinstated after the event.
"Should connections wish for either horse to compete in the Betfred 2000 Guineas, a supplementary entry can be made following the process outlined in the race conditions."
