Youmzain misses King George due to setback

Out of luck: Mick Channon’s Zoumzain has a swollen near-fore joint

13 April 2012

Youmzain will miss the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot due to a swollen joint.

The Mick Channon-trained six-year-old, who finished third in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last month, was today found to have a swollen near-fore joint.

Channon said: "He isn't lame but there's swelling round the joint and we can't take any chances.

"X-rays taken on the leg showed nothing for us to get worried about, and he'll hopefully be back later in the year."

Sir Michael Stoute's St Leger and Breeders' Cup Turf winner Conduit is generally 2-1 favourite with bookmakers for the valuable Group 1 mile-and-a-half contest.

Meanwhile, Richard Hannon, who has won the Weatherbys Super Sprint six times, will run five horses in Saturday's £200,000 Newbury showpiece - but insists likely favourite Monsieur Chevalier has been done no favours by the draw.

Horses drawn high are generally thought to be favoured in the five-furlong dash, for which 25 runners were declared this morning.

But Monsieur Chevalier has been handed stall two, near stablemates Reach For The Sky (three) and Chocolate Cookie (five).

"Someone up there doesn't like me," Hannon quipped. "The draw hasn't been kind to three of them but it's a big pot and they will all take their chance. You'd hope that Monsieur Chevalier would have a good chance, though, despite the draw."

Monsieur Chevalier had his colours lowered for the first time when fifth, having been blocked on several occasions, in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. He will be reunited with Richard Hughes, who has yet to partner a winner of the Super Sprint for his father-in-law.

Ryan Moore rides stablemate Palisades Park while Desert Auction completes the Hannon quintet.

Youmzain misses King George due to setback

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