Tregoning Issues Percy Warning

Underfoot conditions at Royal Ascot next week appear crucial to the participation of Sir Percy in Wednesday´s Prince Of Wales´s Stakes.

The 2006 Vodafone Derby hero has yet to win since his Epsom heroics and was disappointing last time out in the Coronation Cup.

However, he had previously given a good account when fourth in the 5million Sheema Classic in Dubai, and Lambourn trainer Marcus Tregoning has certainly not lost faith in the Mark Of Esteem colt.

'He seems in really good form, but the forecast looks unsettled for the next week and I wouldn´t want the ground to go desperately soft,' he said.

'If it did go very soft I wouldn´t run him.

'We´ll walk the course on Sunday, but I am sure Ascot will do a good job.

'He didn´t like the ground last time at Epsom ? he ran round the inside and the water drains that way.

'But he had run so well the time before in Dubai and he must be allowed one disappointing run.'

(C) PA Sport