Connections of Dick Turpin will wait for “proper soft ground” before pitching the four-year-old back into racecourse action.
Last year’s Prix Jean Prat winner found conditions at Longchamp far too quick on Sunday as he trailed home last to Goldikova in the Prix d’Ispahan.
The Richard Hannon-trained colt had finished a close third to the wonder mare in the Prix de la Foret in October and had made a winning reappearance in the bet365 Mile at Sandown last month.
However, he was only fourth to his stablemate Canford Cliffs in the Lockinge Stakes just eight days before his latest Gallic assignment.
“France came as an afterthought and, while it was good to soft when we decided to run, the ground then dried up and, just as at Newbury in the Lockinge, Dick Turpin would not let himself down,” the Everleigh handler told www.richardhannonracing.tv.
“He has had two quick races, so we will wait for proper soft ground.
“It must rain some time and, while he is entered at Royal Ascot, how often does it come up soft at the Royal meeting these days?
“He’s also in the Eclipse, but we will bide our time and when the weather finally breaks I’ll talk to John (Manley, owner) and we will make fresh plans.”
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