Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup to lose favourite and major player as horse suffers from travel sickness
FRIDAY’S Commonwealth Cup has lost two major players as favourite Vandeek and close contender Bucanero Fuerte have been ruled out.
The Simon and Ed Crisford trained Vandeek was drawn from the Group 1 this morning after the 7-2 market leader was found to have an abnormal blood count.
An unbeaten juvenile campaign last season saw the three-year-old long favourite for Friday’s race, despite being well beaten in this seasons first outing in the Haydock’s Sandy Lane Stakes last month.
Crisford said: “Unfortunately Vandeek will not be able to run in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot this Friday due to abnormal blood count.
“He had been working very well in his preparation and this it’s very frustrating for everyone concerned, but the most important thing now is for him to return to full health.
“All being well he’ll be fit and ready for the July Cup in three weeks’ time.”
The loss of AMO Racing’s 7-1 shot Bucanero Fuerte is another blow to the race.
Adrian Murray’s three-year-old showed signs of travel sickness after making the trip over from Ireland and has since been transferred to Newmarket Equine Hospital.
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In a statement on social media this morning, AMO Racing said: “Unfortunately Bucanero Fuerte will miss the Commonwealth Cup on Friday.
“After arriving at Ascot yesterday he was showing signs of travel sickness and was subsequently transferred to Newmarket equine hospital as a matter of caution where he has been monitored overnight.”
“He spent a comfortable night there and remains well this morning but he’ll be forced to miss his intended engagement on Friday. We now look forward to his swift recovery and the rest of the season.”
Adrian Murray’s shot scored first time out this season with a close win over Givemetheboys at a group 3 at Naas last month.
The market is looking drastically different with supplementary entry, the Sheikh Al Maktoum owned Inisherin, first in the betting for the £400,000 prize pot.
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