Turf Talk: Mecca's King heading for Nunthorpe '“ but only if she's in the best shape possible

The five-year-old has undergone a series of tests following her poor display in the five-furlong Group One for which she was sent off the 6-4 favourite.

“We left her until the end of last week until we did anything. I just wanted to give her time to settle down,” said Dods.

“We covered everything – bloods, scopes, X-rays, scans. The one thing that has come to light is that she was in season last week at Royal Ascot. There was more than one thing. I’ve always said she wants good to soft ground so the proper soft ground was a bit too soft and then she didn’t get a lead. When you put all three things together it just wasn’t happening with her.

“When Paul (Mulrennan) realised she wasn’t going he didn’t knock her about.

“I’m sure she’ll bounce back but the main thing is she came back sound, ate up and everything else is fine with her.”

Dods’ objective now is to make sure his star mare is in the best possible shape to defend her crown in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August.

“I’ve spoken to David Metcalfe (owner) and he was keen to run her in the Sapphire Stakes in Ireland and then go for the Nunthorpe,” said the Darlington-based trainer.

“I was probably keener just to leave her and go straight for the Nunthorpe.

“We’ll see how she is in the next few weeks. There is a possibility I might just give her a spin on a racecourse instead of going to Ireland before the Nunthorpe.

“We just want to get all the test results through first and then make a decision where we go, but that is the likely plan. If the ground came up right there’s a possibility she might go to Ireland but I would rather wait for the Nunthorpe.”

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

DONCASTER: 2.10 Edged In Blue, 2.40 See The City, 3.10 Aberlady, 3.45 Hornsby, 4.20 RUSCOMBE (NAP), 4.50 Rock On Bollinski, 5.20 Excellent World, 5.50 Mustn’t Grumble (treble).

NEWCASTLE: 6.10 Mutamid, 6.45 Bogart, 7.15 Kings Gold, 7.45 Nezwaah, 8.15 Marbooh, 8.50 Classic Pursuit, 9.20 Black Grass (next best).

YARMOUTH: 2.20 Via Egnatia, 2.50 Catharina, 3.20 Red Cardinal, 3.55 Mezmaar, 4.30 Knight Owl, 5.00 Theydon Thunder, 5.35 Shypen.

CARTMEL: 2.00 Knight Bachelor, 2.30 Ballinure, 3.00 Desoto County, 3.35 Odds On Dan, 4.10 Larkhall, 4.40 Mardale, 5.10 Bell Of The Ball.

NEWMARKET: 5.45 Lord Reason, 6.20 Bouquet De Flores, 6.55 Sainted, 7.25 Regal Monarch, 7.55 Mehronissa, 8.25 Four On Eight, 9.00 Excellent George.

CHESTER: 6.35 Irish Optimism, 7.05 Conqueress, 7.35 Mighty Lady, 8.05 Bush Beauty, 8.40 Gabrial The Tiger, 9.10 Giveaway Glance.