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TECHNICIAN, the disappointing 7-2 second favourite when beaten almost 30 lengths by Stradivarius in Thursday’s Gold Cup, has been retired after sustaining a tendon injury. Trainer Martyn Meade said: ‘His run was inexplicable. We knew something was wrong because that wasn’t like him at all. Usually he battles on. Hopefully he can go to stud, but I’m afraid that will be his last race.’

TRAINER John Gosden has confirmed the Prix De L’Arc de Triomphe in October is a serious target for his three-time Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius. The trainer said: ‘We didn’t do it last year and it has come back into play again. I did enter him earlier this week. Ardross, who was a great cup horse, ran a fabulous second in the Arc and I think owner Bjorn Nielsen is thinking in those terms. He is fully entitled to do so.’

BOOKMAKERS will still donate £250,000 to cancer and Covid-19 charities despite losing money on Thursday’s Britannia Handicap after the win of well-backed Khaloosy.

JOCKEYS at Royal Ascot this afternoon will donate their fees to the NHS. The initiative was the brainchild of jockey Derby-winning rider Martin Dwyer. With over 100 horses entered, more than £10,000 will he raised. Frankie Dettori is auctioning the number cloth commemorating his 70th Royal meeting win on Fanny Logan.