Botti forced to abandon Giavellotto’s defence at Newmarket

LAST year's winner Giavellotto is a notable absentee after just six horses stood their ground at the confirmation stage for the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

- BY ASHLEY IVESON

Marco Botti’s stable star (pictured) was a decisive winner of the Group Two feature on the opening day of the July Festival last season and rounded off his campaign with top-level success in the Hong Kong Vase.

Having finished a creditable third in last month’s Coronation Cup at Epsom, Giavellotto was being readied to defend his crown on the July Course before being scratched yesterday morning.