Centigrade ruled out of Epsom Classic contention after setback

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing team has been dealt an early-season blow after it emerged that potential Derby contender Centigrade will miss the Epsom Classic due to suffering a setback.

The Too Darn Hot colt shaped with abundant promise in two juvenile starts for trainer Ralph Beckett last season, with a narrow debut defeat at the hands of Jonquil at Sandown in high summer followed by a runaway victory at Newbury in October.

Earlier this week, Highclere’s managing director Harry Herbert was eyeing up a Derby trial for the exciting three-year-old, but Epsom dreams have since been dashed.

Speaking on Sunday, Herbert said: “Unfortunately, we’ve had some frustrating news that Centigrade has suffered an injury which will keep him out of the Derby.

“It’s agony, absolute agony, but he hopefully will be back later in the year. It’s not career-ending or anything, it’s just the sort of thing you absolutely don’t want for a horse that’s prepping for such an important race.

“We’re very disappointed and obviously all the shareholders are gutted. We will have a horse for the future, but sadly he will not be lining up for the Derby.”

Herbert did have reason to cheer on Saturday, with the George Boughey-trained Soprano making a successful start to her campaign in the Listed Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton.

The four-year-old was all out in the end to repel Crimson Advocate by a nose, but Herbert expects Soprano to improve for what was her first competitive appearance since finishing down the field at the Breeders’ Cup in early November.

He added: “We were thrilled to bits with Soprano. It was a tough race and she was gassy and very fresh and ran with the choke out for quite a way.

“William Buick was very impressed with the way that despite that, when he asked her to go and win her race, she kicked into a little gear.

“Come the last 100 yards, she was running on empty, but hopefully that won’t happen again now she’s had a race and we’ll see where we go. The Dahlia Stakes is possible at Newmarket and Royal Ascot will obviously be the principal summer target for her.”