DETTORI’S DOING A RAIN DANCE FOR ASCOT

FRANKIE DETTORI is praying for rain at Ascot to improve the chances of Cracksman in the Qipco Champion Stakes — and he looks like getting his wish. The unsettled forecast between now and Saturday, when the track is due to be buffeted by strong winds, is likely to leave the going soft for Britain’s most valuable race day, according to clerk of the course Chris Stickels. Cracksman’s last two runs have been over a mile and a half, in York’s Great Voltigeur Stakes and the Prix Niel at Chantilly. Saturday’s race, where opponents are likely to include St James’s Palace Stakes winner Barney Roy, French Derby winner Brametot, Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Highland Reel and Eclipse and International Stakes scorer Ulysses, is more than two furlongs shorter. Dettori said: ‘Cracksman will be fine over 10 furlongs. He’s getting stronger and if the rain comes it will help him and disadvantage some of the others like Highland Reel and Ulysses. ‘It will make it more of a test of stamina, so I’m praying the rain comes.’

MINELLA ROCCO, Jonjo O’Neill’s 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup second, reappears in the Irish Daily Star Chase at Punchestown today. Opponents include Cheltenham Festival winner Road To Respect.