We were obviously hoping to run Rockstar Icon back at Newmarket this week, he’d initially come out of his last run really well, and the plan was always to assess him early this week and then make a final decision about Friday’s race. 

Unfortunately, when we scoped him on Monday morning – which is something we do as standard ahead of a potential race – the results did not come back clear.

It's not an unusual thing to happen at this time of the year at all. There’s plenty of pollen around, as hayfever sufferers will know, and that causes a build-up of mucus in the horse’s lung, hence the dirty scope. 

It’s frustrating, as in every other respect he’s in great order, but we’ll get it cleared up and go again before too long, and at least we haven’t wasted a run when the horse wasn’t quite 100%.

Oliver Cole, Coral Racing Club Trainer