Dettori switches to Singspiel

Frankie Dettori is today expected to be switched from Shantou to Singspiel for next Saturday's King George and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. The Italian, who got married in Newmarket yesterday, had originally been booked to ride Shantou for John Gosden but an announcement is expected that will see him ride the second favourite against Helissio and Pilsudski in what is already being termed "the race of the decade".

Dettori is unbeaten in four rides on Singspiel, including last November's Japan Cup, where Helissio was third, and in last month's Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Sheikh Mohammed owns both Singspiel and the St Leger winner, Shantou, as well as being involved with the Godolphin runners, Predappio and Swain in Saturday's Group One event.

Singspiel is currently the best backed horse in the race with Coral and is a now a 2 to 1 chance.

Aidan O'Brien will run his Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, Classic Park, in Goodwood's Sussex Stakes on July 29th.

Classic Park finished fourth behind Rebecca Sharp in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes last time out, but O'Brien said: "I thought she put in a real good run at Ascot considering she is best with an ease in the ground."

O'Brien has also confirmed that Desert King will run next in the Juddmonte International at York against the Epsom Derby winner, Benny The Dip.

"It looks an ideal race and we want to give him a run before the Irish Champion Stakes," commented the Ballydoyle trainer.

On the juvenile front, O'Brien is considering running both Family Crest and Harbour Master in the Heinz 57 at Leopardstown on August 10th but King Of Kings will not appear in the race.