Eddery may lose Soviet Line ride

PAT EDDERY could be set to lose the ride on Soviet Line in Saturday's £125,000 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The 10 times champion jockey met trouble in running when short headed by Gabr on the Michael Stoute trained gelding in last month's Sandown Mile.

And Kieren Fallon, who rode the six year old into seventh place in a Listed six furlong event at Newmarket last month, was offered the mount yesterday.

But Fallon's agent David Pollington said "Mr Stoute phoned up this morning asking Kieren to ride but Jack Ramsden wants him to go to Thirsk, though he'll need to look at the entries first."

Joe Mercer, racing manager to Soviet Line's owner Maktoum Al Maktoum, said. "If Kieren can't ride him the jockey has been left entirely to Michael Stoute.

"The race wasn't very kind to Soviet Line at Sandown but I spoke to Michael this morning and he was very pleased with him and thinks he is in good shape."

Spectrum will be having his first run in Britain since he landed the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket last October.

The colt finished fourth in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp on his reappearance last month.

Irish challenger Timarida, winner of seven of her eight starts last year, will run provided the ground is not too firm.