Nostrum to Miss Haydock, Eyes Newbury for Comeback Bid

Juddmonte’s Nostrum will bypass the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile at Haydock this Saturday, with connections opting to target next week’s Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury instead. The decision reflects the colt’s ongoing resurgence after a challenging 2023 season and a promising recent effort following a gelding operation.

Once one of Sir Michael Stoute’s most exciting prospects, Nostrum enjoyed a brilliant start to his career, capturing Group Three and Listed victories, and finishing a commendable third in the prestigious Dewhurst Stakes. However, his form faltered last year with back-to-back odds-on defeats, and a disappointing sixth-place finish in the bet365 Mile at Sandown earlier this season left questions about his future.

A gelding procedure earlier this year seems to have rejuvenated the four-year-old son of Kingman. He returned to action at Newmarket in July, finishing a close second to Noble Dynasty in the Criterion Stakes, a performance that has rekindled hopes for a strong second half to his season.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager, confirmed the decision to reroute Nostrum to Newbury after a positive workout with jockey Ryan Moore. "Ryan sat on Nostrum this morning and thought he felt great, so he’s ready to come back," Mahon said. “We’ve decided to wait for the Listed race at Newbury next week, so he will not run at Haydock.”

With Nostrum skipping Haydock, Juddmonte will instead rely on Andrew Balding’s filly Clove Hitch to represent their interests in the Superior Mile. The filly is looking to bounce back from a lackluster showing in the Coral Distaff at Sandown, where she finished out of the money after reportedly losing her action mid-race.

“Clove Hitch will take her chance at Haydock. She looked impressive when winning her maiden, but at Sandown, Ryan felt she was coming to win her race when she lost her action and finished sore,” Mahon explained. “We’ve given her time to recover, and Andrew’s happy with her now—she’s moving well again.”

Clove Hitch had previously shown great promise earlier in the season when finishing third behind Economics at Newbury, and she will be looking to get back on track in this weekend’s contest.

As Nostrum heads to Newbury for a carefully chosen opportunity, Juddmonte remains optimistic that the talented colt is ready to return to the winner’s circle. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Clove Hitch as she attempts to prove her class at Haydock on Saturday.