MARY KING's top horse Imperial Cavalier is set to miss Badminton Horse Trials (May 7-10).

MARY KING's top horse Imperial Cavalier is set to miss Badminton Horse Trials (May 7-10) as he will not be sufficiently recovered from a virus. The original plan was for Imperial Cavalier to compete at the Rolex Kentucky event in the USA. Mary said: "His trachea washes and bloods (analysis) have shown that he will still need two more weeks on the easy list, which is really disappointing. Plan B was to reroute him to Badminton if he hadn't recovered in time to go to Kentucky. "I guess now we may aim at a four star in Luhmuhlen, Germany, in June. It is very disappointing, especially for all my owners, but it is just a matter of time, we just have to wait it out." Apache Sauce is the only horse of Mary's string who has already recovered from the effects of the virus and he is bang on form and ready to bid for Badminton glory. She said: "He galloped on Thursday morning and came out of it well."Mary is spending the weekend as chief groom for daughter Emily who competes in the JRN class at Powderham Horse Trials. The Davis family, who own Imperial Cavalier, have just bought a new advanced horse for Mary to ride. The eight year old has been purchased in Ireland and arrives at Mary's Salcombe Regis stable next week.