Nation retired

Leading Ascot Gold Cup fancy Host Nation has been retired following a setback.

The Andre Fabre-trained four-year-old was as low as 12-1 for the Royal Ascot feature after taking the Group Three Prix de Barbeville at Longchamp last month.

However, Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, has confirmed the Grand Lodge colt will not run again.

He told the Racing Post: “Host Nation met with a setback after the Barbeville and has been retired.”