Canter for King's Best

Heavy ground at Sandown will not prevent Sagitta 2,000 Guineas winner King's Best from cantering at the course this morning.

The Vodafone Derby favourite, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is having a night away at the Esher track as part of his preparation for the Epsom Classic on June 10th.

Joe Mercer, racing manager to the colt's owner Saeed Suhail, said yesterday: "He's going this afternoon and he's going to canter in the morning.

"He's not going there to gallop - he's going for a night away and the ground won't make any difference.

"Michael will be down there first thing tomorrow morning and he'll just have a canter round, it's just part of his preparation."

Connections are also hopeful that last season's Derby third Beat All will be able to make his seasonal debut in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown tomorrow evening.

The four-year-old missed his intended return at Goodwood last Thursday because of soft ground.

But Mercer added "We've got to get him out somewhere along the line and it will probably be on Tuesday."

Godolphin's Meiosis, sent off favourite for yesterday's 1,000 Guineas, was examined by the Turf Club vet and found to be slightly lame on her off-fore after the race.

Britain's champion jockey Kieren Fallon felt unwell after competing in the race and cried off from the ride on Mick Channon's Promising Lady in the Airlie Stud Silver Stakes.

Fallon was stood down for the remainder of the afternoon by the Turf Club's medical officer, Dr Walter Halley, who explained: "He had the flu at Lingfield, feels rotten and is running a temperature.

"Kieren will have to pass the doctor in England before he rides again."

The controversial sponsorship deal between champion jockey Fallon and off-shore bookmaker Victor Chandler is off.

Fallon decided to terminate the two-year arrangement that was due to start on June 9th following concern by several groups in racing about the nature of relationships between some bookmakers, trainers and jockeys.

"Some of the owners aren't happy, the Jockey Club weren't happy," Fallon said.