Desert ruled out of July Cup

Lady Of The Desert will miss the Darley July Cup after taking longer than expected to recover from an injury problem.

The four-year-old is yet to make her seasonal bow after emerging as a leading candidate for sprint honours when winning the Diadem Stakes at Ascot last year before finishing second in the Prix de l’Abbaye.

Trainer Brian Meehan had hoped to run the filly in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot but a splint saw her miss that date and will keep her on the sidelines a little longer still.

“Lady Of The Desert is set to miss the July Cup,” Meehan told his website.

“The injury which held up her preparation for Royal Ascot is taking a little longer than expected to resolve and she will not be ready in time for the July Cup.

“She has been entered in the Nunthorpe Stakes and her key target will be the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.”

A total of 30 horses have stood their ground including Golden Jubilee hero Society Rock.

Australian colt Star Witness also features along with Markab, Kingsgate Native, Monsieur Chevalier and Sole Power.

Godolphin’s Delegator, who was forced to miss Ascot due to the soft ground, is the ante-post favourite for the July 9 contest.