LIMATO will not defend his crown in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret due to the likelihood of soft ground at Chantilly on Sunday.

The five-year-old was taken out of the seven-furlong contest, by trainer Henry Candy, at the latest acceptance stage.

"He does need top of the ground and it looks like it's going to be the opposite," said Candy's wife, Virginia.

"He's got engagements at Ascot, Redcar and the Challenge at Newmarket. Should we get some firm ground, that would be fantastic. Chantilly's not going to be like that."

The 18 horses standing their ground include Martyn Meade's recent Park Stakes scorer Aclaim. Others among the British contingent are Brando, Breton Rock, Dutch Connection and Realtra.

Aidan O'Brien has left in Cougar Mountain, Lancaster Bomber and Spirit Of Valor, while the home team is led by Zelzal, Inns Of Court and Karar.