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| Staff Writer |
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Courage Mon Ami will miss the Gr.1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot for the second successive year following a minor injury setback.
The John and Thady Gosden trained gelding captured the prestigious staying prize in 2023 but was denied the opportunity to defend his crown last year due to a late May injury that ruled him out for the entire season.
This latest physical issue, whilst not serious, arrives at the worst possible time for connections as they prepare for another Royal meeting without their star performer.
"It's a minor setback, but unfortunately it is enough to mean that he will miss Ascot," said Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing.
The injury's timing prevents any realistic chance of the bay gelding reaching peak fitness for the two-and-a-half-mile Group One contest, despite the relatively minor nature of the problem.
"We will regroup and aim at a campaign running later into the season instead," Brown added.
"It's not a major issue and he'll certainly be back later in the year, but with the timing it is enough to mean he will miss Ascot."
Connections remain optimistic about the 7YO's prospects for an autumn return, with plans being formulated for targets later in the campaign once he has fully recovered from this latest disappointment.