CHARLTON HOLDS BREATH ON NUNTHORPE

Roger Charlton has sounded a warning over the participation of Bated Breath in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday week.

The progressive four-year-old finished a close-up fifth in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and improved on that when finding only Dream Ahead half a length too good in the Darley July Cup last time out.

As short as 6-1 with some firms, the Dansili colt is the general 7-1 fourth-favourite for the Group One sprint on the Knavesmire.

Charlton told Press Association Sport: "He has got an abscess in his near-fore which has been poulticed and attended to by the blacksmith and the vet, and we are hoping to have a shoe on either tomorrow or Saturday.

"Obviously there has to be a slight doubt about his participation in the Nunthorpe, but at this stage we are still hopeful."

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