'Soft ground' to blame for Shogun defeat Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien is hopeful his Futurity Stakes disappointment Shogun can still make the step up to Group 1 level, blaming today's soft ground for his defeat. O'Brien stated "Joseph (O'Brien, jockey) knew after two furlongs that he was in trouble on the ground. "I felt that mentally the run would do him good and, with that run under his belt, he could make the step up to run in a Group 1 on nice ground." By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
