Epsom Derby hero Desert Crown OUT of King George at Ascot with injury
EPSOM DERBY hero Desert Crown OUT of the King George after picking up an injury.
Sir Michael Stoute’s stable star was odds-on for the 1m4f Group 1 on July 23.
But there was a huge drift on the horse as he went out to 3.6 on the Betfair Exchange and a general 7-4 shot with most bookies – before Sir Michael confirmed he had picked up a foot injury.
A rematch with subsequent Irish Derby winner Westover looked on the cards – but now Ralph Beckett’s colt is odds-on with bookies.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Desert Crown’s owner Saeed Suhail, confirmed the unbeaten star had suffered a setback.
He said: “It’s in the foot, it’s not a joint and it’s not a tendon, so hopefully it’s not too bad.
“I think if it were a lesser horse we’d just leave him in the box, but because of who he is they’re being extra cautious and will check him tomorrow and scan the foot.
“In my opinion he’s fit enough to be able to miss a few days.
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“I don’t know what Michael [Stoute] thinks about it but he’s a very fit horse, although he wouldn’t want to miss too much and he wants to be working on Saturday, that’s for sure.
“I was alarmed because I thought, ‘can he miss this amount of work?’, but I don’t think Michael is too worried about fitness levels – he’s more worried about what’s going on in the foot.”
Sir Michal later confirmed: “The colt won’t be going to Ascot for the King George.”
Coral-Eclipse runner-up Mishriff is now second favourite in the market ahead of an expected tilt at the Juddmonte.
While shock 80-1 Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso was shortened to 8-1 with Coral.
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