Lah Ti Dar ruled out of Oaks by poor blood test

Ante-post favourite Lah Ti Dar will miss the Investec Oaks at Epsom next Friday after a routine blood test yielded an unsatisfactory result.

Trainer John Gosden told the Press Association: “The test was not to our satisfaction therefore she will not be able to work this weekend in preparation for the Oaks. So in view of that she will not be running at Epsom.”

The unbeaten Lah Ti Dar, owned by Lord Lloyd-webber, will now head to Royal Ascot with Gosden saying: “I’ll have to let that come right and hopefully it will be the Ribblesdale now.”

Qipco 2,000 Guineas rivals Elarqam (4th) and Gustav Klimt (6th) renew battle in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh (4.10) this afternoon. Elarqam, a son of Frankel, is reported to have come out of the Newmarket race in great shape and looks a worthy favourite.

Domestically, sprinters hold centre stage with Haydock Park staging a couple of Group Two contests. The star turn there is Charlie Hills’ Prix de l’abbaye winner Battaash, who is likely to start odds-on for the Temple Stakes (4.00).

It looks like being a big weekend for the Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke, who runs two of his top horses of last year Unfortunately (Sandy Lane Stakes, 3.25) and Havana Grey (Temple Stakes).

Burke also sends his 1,000 Guineas runner-up Laurens to Longchamp tomorrow for the Group One Prix Saintalary over 10 furlongs.