James Fanshawe has declared his improving sprinter Deacon Blues for Saturday’s British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.
Fanshawe had been concerned about the lack of rain in recent days but has confirmed the four-year-old in the hope the ground will not be too fast as he looks for a fifth successive victory.
The Newmarket handler will also be represented by Ascot specialist Society Rock to give him two strong chances of winning the Group Two prize.
Freddie Head will be hoping for better fortune for Moonlight Cloud than she endured on her previous trip to Britain.
The filly was sent off favourite for the 1000 Guineas but disappointed after having been held in the stalls for a long time.
Since then she has demonstrated some top-class form, turning the Prix Maurice de Gheest into a procession, beating Society Rock by four lengths.
Robert Collet’s Wizz Kid also comes over from France and was not beaten far in the Nunthorpe or the Prix de l’Abbaye.
The consistent Genki, Frankie Dettori’s mount Medicean Man, Night Carnation and Ladies Are Forever add further strength in depth.
PA AAP TURF
