Jim Bolger has been forced to rule his Qipco 2000 Guineas candidate Verbal Dexterity out of the Rowley Mile Classic.
A Group One winner last season, Bolger had been planning to send him straight to Newmarket on May 5.
Having won the National Stakes in September, the Vocalised colt was being aimed at the Dewhurst before being ruled out due to a dirty scope and he instead rounded off his juvenile campaign by finishing fourth behind Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy.
Bolger had been making positive noises about his charge in the build-up to his return, but must now go back to the drawing board.
He told The Irish Field: "Verbal Dexterity has had a setback which will rule him out of Newmarket."
Verbal Dexterity holds entries in the Dante at York, the Irish Guineas and the Irish Derby.