Sceptical is set to bypass Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes in favour of the Diamond Jubilee on the final day of Royal Ascot.
Denis Hogan's charge was an impressive winner of the Woodlands Stakes over five and a half furlongs at Naas on Monday, with Frankie Dettori subsequently booked to ride in the five-furlong King's Stand on the opening day of the meeting.
However, Sceptical, who runs in James McAuley's name but is owned in partnership with his brother, Stephen, and their uncle, Jim Gough under the Hilltop Racing banner, will now wait for the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee instead.
Hogan tweeted: "After discussing with @RacingHilltop +jockeys, weighing up all options, we have decided in the best interest and welfare of the horse - and considering long season ahead - to skip the King's Stand in favour of the Diamond Jubilee on Saturday allowing him five extra days."
Hilltop racing also took to Twitter to clarify its position.
After careful consideration between @d_g_hogan @FrankieDettori & @RacingHilltop we have decided that in the best interest of Sceptical it would be unfair on the horse to run in both races @Ascot We feel the extra 5 days will benefit him so have decided he will run in the Jubilee. pic.twitter.com/mwCqjU2rjf
— Hilltop Racing (@RacingHilltop) June 12, 2020
Sceptical is the new favourite for Saturday's race and is as short as 5-2 in places.
