Inisherin 'fresh as paint' after last-minute July Cup withdrawal as Kevin Ryan weighs up distance options

Kevin Ryan reported Inisherin to be "100 per cent" the day after he was withdrawn by the racecourse vet before entering the stalls for the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday. 

Ryan cut a disconsolate figure walking back up the course with Inisherin after No Half Measures had sprung a 66-1 shock, but 24 hours on he was keen to move on from the incident, which was triggered when the four-year-old lost a shoe. 

The winner of the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes in May before finishing seventh in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, Inisherin was a 17-2 chance when the vet made his decision, leading to a 10p deduction in the pound on winning bets. 

Ryan said he had discussed the matter with BHA officials, including director of equine safety, regulation and welfare James Given, and told the Racing Post: "Inisherin is fine and he was yesterday. It’s done now.

"He spread a plate and they withdrew him. I’ve addressed that, I spoke to the stewards and they were very good with me. And I spoke to James Given and he was very good in giving me his time. It’s over and done with, we’ll move on."

Kevin Ryan and Inisherin after their 2024 Commonwealth Cup winCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The BHA Stewards' X account announced Inisherin had been withdrawn on vet's advice, the same message as was given over the racecourse public address, though no reference was made to him in the Newmarket stewards' report. 

Ryan has already won Deauville's Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs courtesy of Brando in 2017, and this year's race on August 10 will come into calculations along with the alternative of stepping up to seven furlongs at York's Ebor meeting.

"He’s in the Maurice de Gheest and he’s in the new Group 1 at York over seven furlongs, the City of York," said Ryan. "I haven’t discussed it with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid yet; we’ll have a chat in a week’s time and decide which one we go for nearer the time. 

"He’s perfect, 100 per cent and fresh as paint this morning."

Inisherin's first three starts were over a mile, including when sixth in the 2,000 Guineas behind Notable Speech, who he could meet again if taking up the York option after the Godolphin colt failed to figure in Saturday's first attempt at six furlongs. 

Sky Bet City of York Stakes (York, August 23)
Sky Bet: 3 Rosallion, 7-2 Lazzat, 4 Notable Speech, 7 Cosmic Year, Shadow Of Light, 8 Inisherin, Maranoa Charlie, 10 Whistlejacket, 12 Kinross, The Lion In Winter, 16 bar.

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