Threat of wet weather derails Golden Pal Nunthorpe bid as Ward opts for Saratoga

Covid-related travel, quarantine and prize-money have all featured as reasons for trainers to change their running plans in recent weeks, but it is the British weather which means Norfolk Stakes runner-up Golden Pal will miss Friday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York, with trainer Wesley Ward electing to keep the juvenile in the US for an alternative engagement on the same day.

As a two-year-old Golden Pal was set to carry 24lb less than red hot favourite Battaash and had been trading at a general 8-1 to dethrone the reigning champion.

But Ward will now run Golden Pal in the $85,000 Skidmore Stakes for juveniles at Saratoga, a race in which he is responsible for three of the six runners.

Nunthorpe entries

Speaking to the Racing Post on Monday afternoon Ward admitted he had been really keen to take on Battaash and company with the son of Uncle Mo, but the threat of soft ground had ultimately swayed him towards staying at home.

"We were watching the weather pretty closely," said Ward. "As dry as the summer has been it looks like there's been quite a bit of rain. I'm a little guarded as to my Ascot winners in terms of which ones I bring over to York for the Nunthorpe.

"This one I was really excited about bringing because he's a bigger colt with a lot of speed. With that weight break, if you can bounce out and utilise that 24lb, I felt that was something that would help him kick on in the final stages, take all that speed and hopefully win.

"But when you get a little bit of a boggy ground it kind of goes against you in that way. That was more so the thinking. We're really excited about him, not only for the rest of this year but for next year as well."

Campanelle: heading to the Group 1 Prix Morny nextCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ward still hopes to make a splash on Sunday with Queen Mary Stakes heroine Campanelle, who will be the mount of Frankie Dettori in the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

A stormy few days in Normandy has left its mark on track conditions but Ward is less concerned should it come up at the weekend.

"With this filly I'm not as worried about it as she's proven on it," the trainer added. "She's worked well on it and ran well at Ascot on a little bit of a soft surface so I think we'll be just fine."

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