Integral team offer ground excuse for Royal Ascot defeat

Image: Integral: Ground could've been too fast

Connections of Integral believe the fast ground at Ascot was to blame for her eclipse in last week's Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's five-year-old won the race last season and had gone on to strike twice at the highest level.

Sent off the 8-11 favourite against five rivals, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned mare finished fifth of the six runners.

"She's checked out fine so we are just putting it down to the ground," said Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park.

"She wouldn't let herself down on it.

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"We know she goes on soft and good and she had gone on fast ground before, but at her age she might have decided now she just wants a bit more cut.

"Her action shortened, you could see that, which is a sign that she wasn't enjoying it.

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"It was a disappointment but at least there's nothing wrong with her.

"I suspect we'll stick to the original plan so it will be on to the Falmouth, which she won last year."

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