Opposition spokesman Lord Hunt of Kings Heath challenged the government to explain how ministers wouldbe able to intervene in the service under the new system, arguing that such interventions were often justified in areas such as keeping down waiting times.
O'Brien was reluctant to commit King of Kings to the Derby and hinted the Irish 2000 Guineas later this month wouldbe the next target, before Epsom wouldbe seriously considered.
That rang alarm bells hundreds of miles south in Sacramento, where officials are scrambling to hold on to the Kings, the city's only pro franchise, amid reports other cities wouldbe interested in hosting the team.