Pique Sous to miss Ascot Gold Cup

Racing manager Steve Massey has confirmed that Pique Sous will not feature in the Ascot Gold Cup next month due to an injury.

The eight-year-old was victorious in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at the meeting last year for the Supreme Racing Club and trainer Willie Mullins, defeating second-place El Salvador.

The grey gelding was being primed for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot this time round but another injury has ruled Pique Sous out of the event, much to the disappointment of Massey.

“We’re absolutely gutted. I only saw him last week and he looked a million dollars,” he said. “It’s nothing serious, not career-threatening or anything, he just needs box rest. It’s a different injury to the one he had before. He might be eight but he’s got low mileage.

“He’s our flagship horse and for our members to have a runner in the Ascot Gold Cup was the stuff of dreams. We were all looking forward to it so much and I’d only booked my hotel yesterday.

“He’ll be back, it just sums racing up. We had a winner at Punchestown last week and now this happens.”