Willie John has been ruled out of next month's Qipco 2000 Guineas after a suffering a setback.
The Dansili colt was a winner on his only start for William Haggas last year, but is now with Roger Varian having been sold for 1.9 million guineas in February.
Varian is now hoping to have his charge fit to start his campaign from July.
He told www.varianstable.com: "Willie John has impressed me in his work this spring, galloping in the manner of a high-class colt.
"While it is unfortunate he has incurred a small setback at this stage of the season, this will not keep him out for too long and we look forward to mapping out a Group-race programme for him from July onwards."