Prince under the weather

Hawridge Prince is in a race against time to be fit for the Ascot Gold Cup after picking up a mystery viral infection.

Rod Millman’s charge improved at a rate of knots last term and ended his campaign by winning the Group Three Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket.

He made a satisfactory return to action at Nottingham but ran a lacklustre race in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, a performance which can now be explained.

“He’s not very well, he was quite ill about four days after his run and he has been quite ill since,” said Millman.

“He is actually showing signs of improvement now but it was quite worrying for a few days.

“It wasn’t a leg injury or anything, it was a viral attack and he has been in isolation.

“This morning he is showing good signs of a recovery but the vets had no idea what it was. He must have been harbouring something the last day he ran.

“He was very flat that day but thankfully he is showing signs of recovery.

“It’s a real shame because the Sandown race (Henry II Stakes, May 29) would have been right up his street on good ground but it won’t be now.

“Hopefully he will still make the Ascot Gold Cup because that is still a few weeks away but we could have done without it.”