Gitano Hernando ruled out of Sandown meet

Gitano Hernando has been ruled out of next month's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown after suffering a setback.

Marco Botti's Grade One-winning colt has been off the track since finishing an unlucky sixth in the Dubai World Cup.

Connections had been targeting Sandown as his likely comeback target, but a foot injury means he is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

"We have scratched him from the Eclipse Stakes as he has pulled a shoe off and is very lame and sore at the moment," said the Italian trainer.

"He was due to have a racecourse gallop this week but as he is now going to miss that piece of work - he basically isn't going to be fit enough for Sandown.

"He is a horse who has always had problems with his feet and we have to be careful with him.

"Unfortunately it is just one of those things and it always seems to happen to the good ones."

Botti is now considering the next plan of attack for his star turn, but admits the options are few and far between.

"It is just a case of deciding where he is going to run now and I'm going to discuss it with the owner," Botti continued.

"There are not many races for him now. There is a Group Two race at York on July 24 (Sky Bet York Stakes), so there could be an option, but otherwise there is not much else for him.

"Hopefully he will be fine and we look forward to getting him back."