Blood of Twice Over 'not right'

Connections of Twice Over have identified a possible reason for the colt’s shock defeat in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.

The Henry Cecil-trained colt went into the 10-furlong contest as ante-post favourite for the Vodafone Derby, but failed to fire in the closing stages and could only manage third behind Tartan Bearer.

Owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: “Twice Over’s blood wasn’t quite right after his race.

“We are just going to sit on him for a while, but the Derby still remains very much doubtful.”