Godolphin's Opera Ballo will not contest the G1 Prix Aga Khan IV versus the Aga Khan Studs' Daryz (Sea The Stars), and will instead be aimed at the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, according to trainer Charlie Appleby.
“We were looking towards the Prix Aga Khan IV (Prix d'Ispahan) but we're now going to go straight to the Queen Anne,” said Appleby of the G1 Jebel Hatta-winning son of Ghaiyyath, who landed the G2 Mile at Sandown in April.
“There are a couple of reasons behind it, firstly he's come out of Sandown so well and dare I say it, he looks quicker. He looks like a miler and without stating the obvious, there's a good horse [Daryz] to beat in France.
“He's beaten the best milers in England with a penalty and I just feel that going back up to the nine and a half might not be the right thing to do.
“We've just gone and beaten some of the best milers in England and why take him out of that division.”
Appleby added, “It will be Royal Ascot for both him and [Saturday's G1 Lockinge hero] Notable Speech (Dubawi) and they will take each other on in the Queen Anne.”
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