Autumn aim for Telescope Telescope is expected to make a swift recovery after a late setback ruled him out of Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old was a beaten favourite in Ascot's midsummer showpiece last season, but ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot behind Oaks heroine Taghrooda. Telescope was due to return to Berkshire on something of a recovery mission after failing to fire in the Hardwicke Stakes at last month's Royal meeting, but will not be taking up his engagement. Alex Smith, managing director for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "It's frustrating for everybody involved, obviously. "It is only a minor setback and doesn't look anything serious. It's just come at the wrong moment, unfortunately. "It's disappointing for his owners, who had been building up for a big day, but he'll be fine." Asked whether Telescope could return to action as soon as next month, Smith said: "I would hope so. We hope he'll be back very soon." Stoute will still be represented by the supplemented Snow Sky, an impressive all-the-way winner of this year's Hardwicke.
