'Jarred-up' Blue Point in need of some time off

Commonwealth Cup third Blue Point will miss the July Cup and Nunthorpe as he returned from Royal Ascot a little sore and requires some time off, trainer Charlie Appleby has revealed.

The Group 3 Pavilion Stakes winner was reportedly jarred-up on the good to firm ground when chasing home Caravaggio and fellow Godolphin-owned Harry Angel at what was a highly successful five-day meeting for his owners.

"He has run a blinder in the Commonwealth, a race many thought was the best race of the five days, but he has returned home a bit jarred up," said Appleby.

"A few weeks off will do him good. It means he will miss the July Cup, as well as the Nunthorpe at York, but we hope to have him back for the Haydock Sprint Cup."

Last year's Sprint Cup, in which Quiet Reflection beat Royal Ascot winner The Tin Man, was run on ground described as soft, but in Blue Point's career he has never encountered ground given as any worse than good - while six of his eight career starts have been on good to firm ground.

Clive Cox's impressive Queen Mary winner Heartache is likely to tackle the colts in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte next month.

Cox won the 5½f Group 2 last year with Tis Marvellous, and also struck in 2012 with Reckless Abandon.

"Our exciting Queen Mary winner Heartache is likely to head to the Prix Robert Papin (Group 2) at Maisons-Laffitte next," tweeted owners Hot To Trot Racing.