■ EXCITING

Cazoo Derby winner Desert Crown looks like missing the rest of the season because of the injury which ruled him out of last Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. What was originally thought to be a hoof issue by trainer Sir Michael Stoute has now been identified as leg problem. While it was described as ‘nothing major’ by Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail, the timetable for a potential return to training to get Desert Crown primed for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 2 looks too tight. Raymond said: ‘Luckily the owner is very patient and he said, “Whatever Michael wants, I’m not going to press him”. I know Sir Michael wouldn’t rush this horse.’ Desert Crown is unbeaten in his three races. The intention is for him to race on as a four-yearold in 2023.