Nostrum will bypass the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile at Haydock on Saturday, opting instead for a run at Newbury the following week.
After a promising start to his career, which included victories in Group Three and Listed races and a third-place finish in the Dewhurst, Sir Michael Stoute’s four-year-old ended 2023 with a series of defeats and was last of six in the bet365 Mile at Sandown upon his return.
A subsequent gelding operation seems to have revitalized him, as evidenced by his improved performance in July, when he narrowly missed out on victory, finishing second to Noble Dynasty in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.
Juddmonte, his owners, are optimistic about his form in the latter part of the season. They have decided to rely on Andrew Balding’s filly Clove Hitch for Haydock, with Nostrum being prepared for the Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury on September 20.
Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager, said, "Clove Hitch will run at Haydock, and Nostrum will wait for the Listed race at Newbury. Ryan Moore rode Nostrum this morning and thought he felt great, so he’s ready for his comeback."
Clove Hitch will aim for redemption at Haydock following a somewhat disappointing performance in the Coral Distaff at Sandown. Despite that, she was close behind the top-class Economics at Newbury earlier this season and won impressively by eight lengths at the Berkshire track in her previous outing.
Mahon added, "Clove Hitch is set to take her chance at Haydock. She looked very promising in her maiden win, and after her recent race at Sandown on soft ground, she came out of it quite sore. Ryan felt she was coming into the race well but lost her action. She’s had a little freshen-up since then, and Andrew is pleased with her; she’s moving well again."