Leading Commonwealth Cup hope Calyx ruled out of Royal Ascot with injury

Leading three-year-old sprinter Calyx has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Cup after it emerged he sustained a leg injury when beaten for the first time in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last month.

Connections hope last year's Coventry Stakes winner will return to action in the autumn.

The John Gosden-trained Calyx was sent off 2-13 favourite to land the Group 2 contest at the Merseyside track but was beaten three and a quarter lengths into second by Hello Youmzain.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Ten Sovereigns, who finished fifth in the 2,000 Guineas on his return, was on Thursday shortened to 7-4 favourite (from 2) to land the Commonwealth Cup on June 21.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "Following his run in the Sandy Lane it has been revealed that Calyx sustained a pastern injury which is now being investigated. This will rule him out of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot but we're hopeful that he could run again in the latter half of the season."

Calyx scored on both starts at two, including when a length winner over Advertise at Royal Ascot, and an early Classic tilt at the Qipco 2,000 Guineas had been mooted before connections decided to take the sprinting route this year.

He made an impressive return when successful by four lengths in the Pavilion Stakes at Ascot last month before his Sandy Lane defeat.

Hello Youmzain: defeated Calyx at Haydock last monthCredit: Grossick Racing (racingpost.com/photos)

Hello Youmzain, trained by Kevin Ryan, was cut to 7-1 second favourite (from 8) and is set for his first run at Ascot in the three-year-old 6f contest worth £500,000.

Adam Ryan, son and assistant to the trainer, said: “We’ve been very happy with Hello Youmzain since Haydock and the Commonwealth Cup is the aim – it’s the obvious next step.

“He just didn’t stay in the Greenham despite running really well and we’ve always felt he’s a very nice horse. We were confident he’d give Calyx a good test and he won nicely.

“The stiffer test at Ascot shouldn’t be an issue as he’s a big strapping horse – he was very powerful through the line at Haydock and certainly wasn’t stopping.

“He has the form in the book and will do us proud. If he’s improved since Haydock then he has a leading shout, but we’re under no illusion that it’s Royal Ascot and it's hard enough to win any race there, let alone a Group 1.”

Impressive Prix Sigy winner Big Brothers Pride has also been confirmed an intended runner in preference to the King's Stand by trainer Francois Rohaut.

Big Brothers Pride, who runs for the same shared ownership of Qatar Racing and China-based Kin Hung Kei as dual winner Sparkle Roll, landed the Group 3 event at Chantilly by four lengths in April and is a general 16-1 chance.

"I saw the race at Haydock and we’ve now opted to go for the Commonwealth Cup rather than the King’s Stand," said Rohaut.

"With Calyx being beaten there seemed less risk in staying with her own age group, whereas the King’s Stand would be tough for a three-year-old filly. With Calyx now a non-runner that is an extra reason to stick with the plan."

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