Deauville Plan For Attraction

Attraction could return to action at the end of the month, but trainer Mark Johnston has expressed reservations about the ground and a possible jockey problem.

The Middleham handler wants the Duke of Roxburghe´s filly to go for the Prix d´Astarte at Deauville - but only if the going is suitable as last year she flopped in soft ground at the French track in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

Johnston would also like Kevin Darley in the saddle as he has been aboard in her last 10 races.

However, he will only be able to take the mount if his appeal next Thursday against a 10-day ban he picked up at Ayr on Monday is successful.

'The plan is to go for the Prix d´Astarte, but it is on July 31 and that is the last day of Kevin´s ban if his appeal doesn´t succeed, so we will have to find another jockey,' said Johnston.

'But even more important is that the ground is suitable for her over there, so we will have to see how things go and how Kevin gets on.'

In contrast, trainer Ralph Beckett is hoping for cut in the ground at Deauville for Penkenna Princess to take her chance in the Group One feature.

The Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up acquitted herself well on ground that would have been fast enough when fifth to Soviet Song in the Falmouth last week.

And having shown her best form with cut in the ground, Beckett admitted that the weather will play a part in future plans.

'I thought she ran very well at Newmarket - I just wish the race had run on Thursday after they had all that rain,' he said.

'She has come out of it very well and we are looking at the Prix d´Astarte or maybe the Nassau Stakes for her now.

'Sometimes they can get a bit of give for the d´Astarte, but I believe the race is Attraction´s target so it could be quite a hot race.'

(C) PA Sport