Sick Secret out of Cup

Sakhee's Secret is unlikely to take his chance in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket next Friday following his disappointing performance at Royal Ascot.

Last year's winner of the Group One feature ran dismally last time out, trailing home in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at the royal meeting.

Trainer Hughie Morrison knows that run was way below expectations and is likely to allow the four-year-old more time to get over what was ailing him.

"I think he's a doubtful runner at the moment," he said. "He ran too bad to be true the other day and though he is clinically fine, he had a temperature last weekend and I just think there was something simmering there.

"You can't really take a chance with him in Group One company, if it was a handicap you might get away with it.

"It's doubtful whether I'll confirm him tomorrow which is a shame, but that's life.

"I think he's fine now but he appears to have had some sort of viral shock and we need to give nature a chance to let him fully recover and build up - even though outwardly you would think he was fine.

"He was muscularly sore for the whole of last week. It's a real sickener as the way he won the race last year, the stiff six furlongs there looks made for him.

"The Nunthorpe and everything are possible at this stage."