Racing: Ecomium out of York trial

The Derby hope Ecomium, who lost his maiden tag at the first time of asking when coasting to success at Newmarket last month, is to miss his planned engagement at York's Dante meeting next week.

The Derby hope Ecomium, who lost his maiden tag at the first time of asking when coasting to success at Newmarket last month, is to miss his planned engagement at York's Dante meeting next week.

The Sadler's Wells colt was due to contest the Michael Seeley Memorial Glasgow Stakes next Thursday, but has met with a minor setback.

"I've decided that he will not participate in the Glasgow Stakes," Jeremy Noseda, his trainer, said yesterday. "He's going to have the next four or five days on the easy list and then will resume training with a possible target being a Listed race at Newmarket on 22 May.

"I'm hopeful the setback will not have a bearing on future plans. Having been involved with a Derby candidate in a similar situation nine years ago (Lammtarra), I believe that anything is possible."

Punctilious, one of Godolphin's leading hopes for the Oaks, is to make her reappearance in the Musidora Stakes next Tuesday. The filly was third to Cairns and 1,000 Guineas runner-up Sundrop in a private trial at Nad Al Sheba last month.