Sea Moon has been declared a non-runner in the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester on Friday.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old has been taken out of the Group Three over a mile and five furlongs due to unsuitable ground, as the going on the Roodee is currently soft, heavy in places.

Sea Moon is well entered up, and connections will wait before deciding where now to start off his season.

His other engagements include the Sportingbet Yorkshire Cup at York next Friday, the Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup at Epsom and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.

"I think we will have to look at the ground," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

"He is in the Yorkshire Cup, but it may be that Michael will want to wait. We will keep the situation under review. It's going to be a long season."

Joseph O'Brien is worried about the soft ground for Memphis Tennessee, trained by his father, Aidan.

O'Brien has ridden the Hurricane Run colt in his last four starts, notably when fourth in the Investec Derby and third in the Irish Derby. This will be his first race since the Curragh Classic at the end of June.

"He's in good form and it's only his first run of the season," said the young jockey.

"We are very worried about the soft ground. It's an unknown for him. He's a very good-moving horse."



More...