Quorto to miss Hot showdown

THE eagerly awaited Dewhurst clash between Quorto and Too Darn Hot is off.

Charlie Appleby nominated the sevenfurlong Group 1 at Newmarket on October 13 as Quorto’s target after he scored in the top-level National Stakes at the Curragh 11 days ago.

But the son of Dubawi will miss a head-to-head with John Gosden’s unbeaten Guineas favourite Too Darn Hot — winner of the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on his latest outing — after Appleby revealed the Godolphin colt to be finished for the campaign.

“He has done exceptionally well in his first season, progressing all the time,” said Appleby (above).

“The 2,000 Guineas has always been the long-term plan and, following discussions with Sheikh Mohammed, we have decided to put him away for the year.”