Marco Botti is praying for rain so that he can run Planteur against the mighty Frankel in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday.
The Newmarket handler will declare the five-year-old for the mile-and-a-quarter showpiece, but will not risk the former French-trained entire if he considers the ground to be too fast.
Planteur should have appeared on the Knavesmire last month, only for Botti to pull him out because of the drying conditions.
“He’s going to be declared, but we will have to monitor the weather forecast. Hopefully we will have showers,” said Botti.
“If it is good ground we will take a chance, but not on firm ground.
“He’s in good form, he is training well and looks well. He’s had a good time from his last run and he’s freshened up.
“He’s still in the Irish Champion Stakes and in October there’s a Group Two in France. They are possible races for him.”
The ground at York was described as good to firm on Sunday morning by assistant clerk of the course Anthea Morshead.
