Abnormal blood analysis rules Group 1 hero Aspetar out of York showdown

Group 1 winner Aspetar will not take on Ghaiyyath and Magical in Wednesday's Juddmonte International at York after trainer Roger Charlton withdrew the five-year-old from the big race on Monday evening.

Aspetar had been a 14-1 chance to win the 1m2½f Group 1, but Charlton said: "I wasn't convinced his last piece of work was up to scratch. We did a routine blood test on him this morning, got the results this evening and decided it wouldn't be right for him to run in a Group 1 race."

Aspetar, who struck in the Group 1 Preis von Europa last September and the York Stakes on the Knavesmire last month, could now head to Longchamp for the Prix Dollar in October, or to Australia for the Cox Plate in the same month.

Charlton added: "There aren't any obvious targets, but the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend is a possibility.

"We are still considering going to Australia for the Cox Plate, but that will depend on the Australian authorities. Ultimately the Emir's Trophy in Qatar in February will be high on his agenda."

A son of Al Kazeem, Aspetar has won five of his 13 starts, including four at Pattern level.

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