Coronation Stakes winner Exclusive will definitely miss the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday, trainer Michael Stoute confirmed yesterday. Doubts had arisen about the chestnut's participation in the Group One Sandown feature after recent rainfall turned the Esher track's going to good to soft.
Testing ground allied with a stiff track would not be ideal for Exclusive's first attempt at a mile and a quarter, according to Stoute.
However, the trainer, who won the race 12 months ago with Pilsudski, will still be represented by Insatiable.
The five-year-old ran out an emphatic winner of the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes over the Eclipse course and distance at the end of May, before running a very disappointing seventh of eight when 2 to 1 joint favourite for the Group Two Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"Michael Kinane rides Insatiable - he confirmed that this morning," said Stoute yesterday.