Affairs Tested After Anne Defection

Sir Michael Stoute's Home Affairs has undergone tests to ascertain the extent and nature of the injury that forced his 11th-hour withdrawal from Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The progressive colt looked an unlucky loser in Epsom's Diomed Stakes at the start of the month and was expected to put up a bold show at Ascot until found to be lame following his final piece of work on Sunday morning.

Lord Grimthorpe, Juddmonte Farms racing manager, confirmed: 'He (Home Affairs) underwent tests, and I'm waiting to speak to the vets.'

The son of Dansili had been quoted as low as 9-4 with Stan James to win the one-mile contest.

Market leader Proclamation heads a small but select field of eight runners and will bid to enhance Godolphin's mighty record in the mile showpiece.

The ?Boys in Blue' have won six of the previous 10 renewals and last tasted success with Refuse To Bend two years ago.

Proclamation has not been seen since finishing 11th behind Goodricke in last season's Sprint Cup, but underlined his credentials with a stunning victory in the Sussex Stakes earlier in the season.

He is reported to be in top shape by handler Saeed bin Suroor, who also sends out Belenus to ensure a proper pace.

'We have given Proclamation time. I am pleased with him and he is working nicely,' he told www.godolphin.com.

'He is healthy and sound but it is going to be a very tough race on his seasonal debut.

'He has the class to run well hopefully.'

Peeress will provide Godolphin's colt with a stern test, after confirming herself a top-class filly when landing the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on her seasonal reappearance.

Her preparations have gone smoothly and connections are expecting a bold show, providing the ground is not too firm.

Chris Richardson, managing director to owners Cheveley Park Stud, explained: 'We're very happy with her and she's in good form.

'She's a very talented filly and I think she's improved, but she is perhaps a little better with some ease in the ground.'

Ed Dunlop's Court Masterpiece will attempt to emulate his top-flight success in last season's Prix de la Foret ? providing the ground does not ride soft ? but needs to find over five lengths with Peeress on their Lockinge running.

'If the ground is what we expect it to be, he'll run in the Queen Anne. He was third in the Lockinge last time and I'm sure he'll once again run a respectable race,' the Newmarket trainer told www.edunlop.com.

'If the ground comes up soft, he'll probably go to the Golden Jubilee. The stiff six on a soft surface would be very interesting.'

Aidan O'Brien relies solely on Ad Valorem, who has failed to score since landing the 2004 Middle Park Stakes.

The field for the Queen Anne is completed by Akimbo, Kandidate and Gay Kelleway's Vortex.

? PA Sport