Injury rules Maljoom out of Queen Elizabeth II clash at Ascot

Leading Queen Elizabeth II Stakes contender Maljoom has been ruled out of Champions Day next weekend after failing to recover from a setback he suffered earlier in the year.

The German 2,000 Guineas winner has not been seen since finishing an unlucky fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this season, and had previously missed an intended run in the Prix Jacques le Marois in August due to a dirty scope.

The William Haggas-trained son of Caravaggio was a general 5-1 shot for the mile Group 1 next Saturday, but will miss the race and be put away before a four-year-old campaign next year.

The trainer's wife Maureen Haggas said: "He won't make it. We just haven't got him back in time from his little issue and he'll have a winter off. He's too nice to risk and has won a Group 2 already.

"You can't do that sort of thing for selfish reasons as we've got to look after the horse for next year."

Connections are already eyeing up a tilt at the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury next May and hope he could be the next star to replace Baaeed, who will retire following his run in the Champion Stakes.

"He's a miler through and through, and we'll keep Sacred in training too to aim her at the Lockinge too to try and win her a Group 1," Haggas added.

"Baaeed's great at the moment. We're lucky to have him and should be looking forward to it, as we are, but it'll be sad to see him go. He's been a fantastic horse and we'll never have one like him."

Jacques le Marois winner Inspiral is a general 10-11 favourite to win the QEII ahead of 2020 winner The Revenant, who is a 4-1 shot.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20 Ascot, October 15)

Coral: 10-11 Inspiral, 7-2 The Revenant, 5 Erevann, 12 Modern Games, Saffron Beach, 14 Checkandchallenge, 16 Homeless Songs, Bayside Boy, El Drama, Mangoustine 20 bar

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