Mill Reef winner Sakheer to miss Dewhurst date after dirty scope

Seven runners were declared on Thursday for Friday's Dewhurst Stakes but Sakheer was not among them after scoping dirty.

The €550,000 breeze-up purchase was ante-post favourite for Saturday's Group 1 but will miss the race in a big blow for trainer Roger Varian and owners KHK Racing.

Varian said in a statement released on Twitter: "Unfortunately Sakheer has scoped dirty this morning ahead of his intended run in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

"This is of course very frustrating and disappointing, and I am very sorry for owners KHK Racing and everyone connected with the horse.

"He will be put away now for the season and we look forward to him returning as a three-year-old."

After finishing second on his debut at Windsor in August, Sakheer has developed quickly into one of this season's leading juveniles. He cantered to a six-length novice win at Haydock at the start of September and made light work of a steep rise in class to win the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury by three and a half lengths.

The impressive nature of that win prompted connections to pay £35,000 on Monday to supplement him for the Dewhurst.

Varian, whose team had a career-best month in September with 29 winners from 99 runners in Britain, had spoken on Wednesday of how the son of Zoffany had to be treated as a possible Guineas contender. He is 12-1 with Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook and Betfred for next year's Newmarket Classic.

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