Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been ruled out of the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot on account of the rain-softened ground. Roger Charlton's 4-year-old was a hugely impressive winner of the G3 Tercentenary S. at the showpiece meeting last year and made a successful return to action with a thrilling victory in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown last month. He was among the leading contenders for Wednesday's 10-furlong Group 1, but with conditions at Ascot having deteriorated, he will not take his chance.
“Time Test will not be declared to run in the Prince of Wales's and he will be aimed at the [G1Coral] Eclipse at Sandown Park [July 2], hoping for quicker ground,” trainer Roger Charlton tweeted.
Time Test was one of three withdrawals at the final declaration stage with the now-retired Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) removed from the reckoning along with Aidan O'Brien's Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
That leaves a field of six, headed by Japanese superstar A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who ran out an incredibly impressive winner in last month's G1 Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly on what was his European bow.
O'Brien still has a representative in the shape of GI Breeders' Cup Turf heroine Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who makes a quick return having finished second in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom just under two weeks ago.
The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is due to make his seasonal reappearance for Kevin Ryan, while Godolphin's G1 Dubai Turf third Tryster (Ire) (Shamardal) will take his chance for Charlie Appleby. Clive Cox's My Dream Boat (Ire) (Lord Shanakill) and the John Gosden-trained Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) complete the select field.
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