Swinging Sixties Back In The Groove

Connections of Sixties Icon hope for a return to his St Leger-winning form in the Princess Of Wales's WBX.COM Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

Jeremy Noseda's charge looked better than ever on his seasonal bow in the Jockey Club Stakes but flopped badly in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

However, owner Paul Roy believes there was a valid excuse for that display and is confident of a much better showing at Newmarket ? with a possible run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes yet to be ruled out.

'He wasn't on great form with himself before the race at Epsom and it was probably against our better judgment that we ran him ? not Jeremy's though; it was my fault,' said Roy.

'We shouldn't have run him because he was not on form and he ran below-par, but we think he is in rude health at the moment.

'He was very quiet in the week leading up to the race and that is not like him - he is normally quite excitable ? and we couldn't put a finger on it. He was just too relaxed.

'He seems to be back though and we are hopeful that he will show his true form.

'We really want to get to the King George, even though it is only just over two weeks away, but obviously he has got to come back to his old form again.'

Frankie Dettori normally partners Sixties Icon but has been claimed to ride dual Group One winner Laverock so Johnny Murtagh takes the mount.

Laverock beat Manduro in the Prix d'Ispahan last season but has been some way below that form since.

Saeed bin Suroor expects him to come on for the run and told www.godolphin.com: 'Laverock has been working nicely but I think he will probably need this race and will improve for it.

'We will see how he runs ? I think slightly softer ground may suit this horse.'

(C) PA Sport