Dettori to miss York as he opts for France

Frankie Dettori is set to miss next week's Ebor Festival at York after opting to ride in France this weekend.

The popular Italian was booked by trainer John Gosden to partner his French Derby hero Mishriff in Saturday's Group Two Prix Guillaume D'Ornano at Deauville, and the unbeaten St James's Palace Stakes winner Palace Pier in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois the following afternoon.

A Government announcement late on Thursday evening revealed France was to join the UK's quarantine list from 4am on Saturday following a spike in coronavirus cases, meaning anyone travelling back across the Channel after that time will need to quarantine for 14 days.

But Gosden has confirmed Dettori will still be in action at Deauville - meaning he will miss several high-profile rides on the Knavesmire next week, most notably Lord North in Wednesday's Juddmonte International.

Gosden told the PA news agency: "Frankie will be riding in France - that is the intention, absolutely.

"It will mean he will miss York. These plans have been in place for a while - for Palace Pier since the St James's Palace and for Mishriff since the Prix du Jockey Club.

"He (Dettori) would prefer to ride this weekend. It is far from ideal to miss York, but these are strange times that we live in."

In Dettori's absence, Gosden hopes James Doyle will maintain his partnership with Lord North at York, having steered him to victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

"I'm hoping James Doyle will be available," Gosden added.

Meanehile dual Classic heroine Love is the star attraction among eight contenders for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

Following a dominant victory in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, Aidan O'Brien's filly was even more impressive when stepped up to a mile and a half for the Oaks at Epsom.

The daughter of Galileo is challenging the brilliant Enable for favouritism for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in early October, and will be widely expected to enhance those claims at York next week.

O'Brien has also entered his multiple Group One winner Magical, as well as Epsom runner-up Ennistymon.

John Gosden decided against bidding for a third Yorkshire Oaks victory with Enable - but the Clarehaven maestro could instead call upon Frankly Darling, winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing third behind Love at Epsom, and recent York winner Franconia.

Sir Mark Prescott's Alpinista could step up in class after winning the Listed Upavon Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury.