Ascot Beckons For Percy

Sir Percy could bid to redeem his reputation in the Prince Of Wales´s Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20.

Winner of the 2006 Vodafone Derby in the hands of Martin Dwyer, Marcus Tregoning´s stable star could finish only sixth of the seven who went to post for Friday´s Coronation Cup, which was run over the same course and distance.

His trainer has put that disappointment down to the tacky ground, however, and hopes Sir Percy will recover sufficiently to prove that running all wrong in the near future.

'We realised when we got to the track and walked the course that the ground on the inner rail was the most testing and Martin ensured me that they wouldn´t go that side,' Tregoning said.

'Sadly, he and Frankie (Dettori) found themselves on the worst of it and I think although Frankie was holding us in on Sixties Icon, if our horse had been going well enough, he would have been able to extract himself.

'I think he just got stuck in the ground but hopefully he´ll run much better next time on better ground. It´s frustrating as I thought he´d run really well and the ground on Saturday was much better.'

Whether Sir Percy makes Royal Ascot or not, Tregoning is keen to run him over 10 furlongs next as he seeks a stronger pace.

'He cantered this morning and he seems fine but he´s quite tired,' Tregoning continued.

'I´ll look at the Prince Of Wales´s quite seriously now and if he recovers well enough from Epsom, he might well take his chance there.

'We´ll probably run him over a mile and a quarter next time as I think we´ll get a better pace and he´s better when he gets that.'

(C) PA Sport