King's Stand runner-up and Nunthorpe third favourite Twilight Calls to miss York

Twilight Calls, among the leading fancies for next week's Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York, has been ruled out of the race by trainer Henry Candy.

Best of the rest when second to runaway King's Stand Stakes winner Nature Strip at Royal Ascot in June, Twilight Calls is "off games" at the moment but Candy hopes the Cheveley Park Stud-owned four-year-old will be back in action before the end of the season.

"He's got a few joint issues and is on the easy list at the moment, so there will be no Nunthorpe," said Candy.

"He was fine up until just before Goodwood and then he started to get a little bit pottery. It's nothing a bit of rest won't cure but he's just off games at the moment. It's his fetlocks."

As well as his second at Ascot, Twilight Calls has already finished a narrow runner up in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock this season and had been a general 8-1 third-favourite for the Nunthorpe on Friday week. He also holds an entry in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on September 11.

Candy, who won the Nunthorpe with Kyllachy in 2002, added: "It was a brilliant run at Ascot. The plan had been to go to Ascot then Goodwood but I think he'll be back this season. All the usual races will be open to him depending on the weather. He's one who does want top of the ground."

Royal Aclaim heads the Nunthorpe market at 2-1. Speedy two-year-old The Platinum Queen is next at 9-2 but requires a £40,000 supplementary entry.

Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35 York, August 19)

Betfair Sportsbook: 15-8 Royal Aclaim, 9-2 The Platinum Queen, 8 Highfield Princess, 10 Dramatised, Khaadem, 12 Flaming Rib, Flotus, 14 Persian Force, 16 bar.

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