John Gosden is anticipating an autumn return for Publish after further diagnosis of the setback that ruled the 2000 Guineas contender out of the first half of the season.

The son of Kingman was towards the head of the betting for the first colts’ classic of the year when owners Juddmonte revealed an injury had been discovered.

However, connections can now console themselves that the exciting prospect could be seen at some stage later in his three-year-old campaign.

Gosden, who trains Publish alongside son Thady, said: “He had a funny little old problem behind from when he was a foal which always remained dormant and then suddenly flared up.

“He was just a touch off (lame) and you could have pushed on, but you don’t do that with horses and he underwent surgery successfully on Tuesday and hopefully you will see him back in the autumn.”

Publish was an eyecatcher when second on his Sandown debut last July and duly went one better three weeks later.

He was last seen finishing second to George Boughey’s Bow Echo, the current favourite for the 2000 Guineas, in the Ascendant Stakes at Haydock in September.