Romanised 'odds-on' to miss QEII at Ascot because of soft ground says Condon

Ken Condon reckons Prix Jacques le Marois winner Romanised is odds-on to miss the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week due to the prospect of soft ground.

Romanised is priced between 6-1 and 9-1 for the Group 1 over a mile on Champions Day, but Condon says his star miler simply cannot act on soft ground and he is unwilling to take the risk.

"The horse is very, very well and training nicely. He has been prepared with the race at Ascot in mind, but the ground was soft at Ascot last Saturday and he cannot run on soft. If there is any soft in the description he will not run, so I would say it's odds-on that he will not turn up," Condon said.

He added: "The confirmation stage is on Monday so we will all have a chat over the weekend and decide what is best for the horse. I would say it's unlikely he will turn up, though. The nights are longer and courses do not dry out like they do in the summer."

It has been a stellar season for last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner whose finest hour arrived in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August, and Condon thinks he could be even better as a five-year-old next year.

The trainer said: "There's nothing stopping us running at Ascot but the ground. There's not the same emphasis on him having to run because it's not his final run and it's brilliant that he's staying in training next season.

"He has had a very good year and hopefully he can continue next season where he has left off. The plan would be to start in the Lockinge at Newbury and that will hopefully prolong his season. He has been very consistent all season."

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