JOHN Gosden has resisted the temptation to throw Palace Pier in at the deep end when racing restarts.
The unbeaten colt had been third-favourite with the bookies for the 2000 Guineas – but he will skip the race and head to Newcastle instead.
The son of Kingman coasted home to win easily under Frankie Dettori when last spotted at Sandown in September.
But he picked up a leg injury shortly afterwards and champion trainer Gosden has decided to tackle calmer waters first.
Antepost punters will have been left feeling seasick at the news, with Coral reporting plenty of money for the 12-1 shot in recent days.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “Although Palace Pier only won two minor contests last season, he created such a strong impression with those victories we had him in the Classic betting as short as 12-1 third favourite.
“So his absence from Newmarket removes one major rival from Pinatubo’s path.”
Palace Pier’s defection means red-hot favourite Pinatubo’s is now a 5-6 shot, with Aidan O’Brien’s Arizona next best at 7s.
And the odds-on jolly stepped up his Guineas prep with a racecourse gallop on the all-weather at Chelmsford on Thursday.
Regular jock William Buick was in the saddle and the colt reportedly impressed in the 7f workout alongside two stablemates.
