An injury scare has cast a doubt over the participation of Royal Anthem in the Breeders' Cup Turf, the colt's trainer Henry Cecil reported yesterday morning.
The bay son of Theatrical, successful in the Canadian International at Woodbine on his latest start last month, was reckoned to be one of the chief British hopes of victory at the Breeders' Cup fixture this Saturday. He pleased his connections in a workout over seven furlongs on the course with the Burk Kessinger-trained Triple Deck on Saturday, but was found to be "hopping lame" by Cecil on Sunday night.
And the next 48 hours are crucial as to whether Royal Anthem will take his place in the 2 million mile-and-a-half contest.
"He had a setback, but I hope we can still get it right," said Cecil earlier yesterday. "We can't pinpoint exactly what it is. He was fine yesterday morning but we found him hopping lame last night.
"He is much better this morning but we will just have to see. We will shoe him up and feel our way, but there is obviously a question mark."
