Galatee a late defector from Oaks

Racing:  Irish ante-post gamble Galatee has met with a setback and will miss the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

Racing:  Irish ante-post gamble Galatee has met with a setback and will miss the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

The daughter of Galileo, who had been vying for favouritism, has won all her three starts in good style and was particularly impressive at Naas last time when she easily disposed of a decent field.

Afterwards, the Irish Oaks was nominated as her next target but she had progressed so well that connections took the decision to add her to the line-up for the fillies' Classic at a cost of £20,000.

But after being tested she returned "an elevated white cell blood count", which has ruled her out of the race.

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Trainer Jim Bolger said: "Unfortunately Galatee will not be travelling to England as she has an elevated white cell blood count.

"She won't be doing anything for a week and then we'll have a look at the Ribblesdale (at Royal Ascot)."