Pyledriver to miss King George Stakes

Coronation Cup winner Pyledriver will miss the King George Stakes at Ascot on Saturday after picking up a groin injury. 

The four-year-old was well-fancied for the Group One flat contest following his win at Epsom last month. Preparations were going swimmingly for the William Muir-trained colt before a problem was flagged up at the weekend. 

Muir admits he was devastated to find out Pyledriver would not be running but conceded he had to do what was best for the horse. 

He said: "We went to Newbury [on Saturday afternoon] and that evening my head girl rang me and said Pyledriver is not quite right.

"My vet came out and looked at him and he feels he may have just slipped or stretched and pulled his groin. I could cry but we've got to be professional and got to do what's right for the horse." 

Love and Adayar head King George entry list

With Pyledriver sidelined, the King George Stakes entry list is headed by Royal Ascot winning filly Love and Cazoo Derby winner Adayar. 

Love, trained by Aidan O'Brien, was making her first start for ten months when she rode in the Prince of Wales' Stakes at the royal meeting and it was like she had never been away after winning the Group One clash by just under a length. 

She arrives with excellent pedigree, having won the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and Oaks at Epsom in 2020. 

O'Brien is looking for his fifth winner in the King George race with Highland Reel being his last winner in 2016. 

Adayar will be a fierce competitor, though, after Charlie Appleby's charge won the Derby last month. That followed a couple of second places at Lingfield and Sandown. 

Menuisier enjoying life with Wonderful Tonight

Trainer David Menuisier says he is loving working with Wonderful Tonight as he targets a run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. 

The four-year-old filly has had a remarkable career to date, winning five of nine races. Those include two Group One successes at Longchamp and Ascot, while she also won on her seasonal reappearance at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke Stakes. 

Menuisier admits a run in the famed Paris race is the ultimate ambition for the daughter of Le Havre. 

Teh Frenchman said: "She has everything. The will to win and the strength. She's sweet but assertive. She knows what she wants in life and that translates to the track. She does everything actively, she's a busy bee. 

"The ultimate aim is the Arc, so we've been working backwards from that and making possible plans. It's a matter of finding race to improve her fitness until then." 

Leg break puts Keniry milestone on hold

Jockey Liam Keniry will have to wait to win his 1,000th race after being ruled out for three months with a broken leg. 

The 38-year-old was aboard the Clive Cox-trained Get In preparing for a handicap race at Ascot two weeks ago. But he horse became spooked and threw Keniry off, shattering his right leg. 

Sitting just two wins away from 1,000 victories, Keniry is hopeful he will be back soon. 

He said: "I definitely knew I had broken my lower leg and I've dislocated my foot, broke my fibula, which is now plated, and broke my ankle, which has got screws in it

"This time of year is the busiest from a Flat jockey's point of view so there couldn't be a worse time to be out, but you have to get on with it and keep positive, and I'm looking forward to getting back."