Kalpana Ruled Out of York Comeback Due to Dirty Scope

[Wandering Eyes]

Kalpana (Study Of Man) is likely to kick off her campaign in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup later this month after a dirty scope ruled the four-year-old out of her intended return to action in Thursday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes at York.

Trained by Andrew Balding for Juddmonte, Kalpana was last seen winning the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot in October, looking a contender for further top honours in 2025 as she handed out a comprehensive two-length beating to her 13 rivals.

Her connections had been hoping to use the Middleton as a stepping stone to next month's G1 Pretty Polly Stakes, but she is now set for a few days on the easy list before a potential tilt at the Tattersalls Gold Cup, which takes place at the Curragh on Sunday, May 25.

“Andrew just wasn't happy with her scope this morning and there was a little bit of mucus there,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, who completed the Middleton/Pretty Polly double last year with their subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking.

“The vet said he would like to treat her for a couple of days so we couldn't declare her for York. It's unfortunate but it is nothing sinister and hopefully we will get her back in a couple of weeks.”

He added, “We could look towards the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and, if the treatment clears her up and Andrew is happy with her, I would say that would look the most obvious next target. After that you are rolling into Epsom [for the Coronation Cup].

“She probably just needs a few days of antibiotics and should be okay. Hopefully, that could still leave her on track for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, all being well.”

In the absence of Kalpana, Balding's See The Fire heads a field of eight set to go to post for the Middleton, while ante-post Derby favourite The Lion In Winter is one of 11 runners declared for the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes on the same card. His rivals include Godolphin's unbeaten Alpine Trail and the Balding-trained Royal Playwright, a half-brother to See The Fire.

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