O'Brien pulls out Ascot runners

Aidan O’Brien has withdrawn his two runners from today’s meeting at Royal Ascot on account of the prevailing fast ground.

The Ballydoyle maestro was due to saddle Alberto Giacometti and Arundel on the penultimate day of the meeting.

However, the former will now run at Longchamp on Sunday in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, while Arundel will be switched to the Curragh Cup on Budweiser Irish Derby day next weekend.

“I withdrew them because I don’t consider the ground to be safe,” said O’Brien. “I am looking forward to trying Alberto Giacometti at a mile and a quarter as I think the trip will suit him.”

Stablemate Spartacus is also engaged in the Longchamp contest.

Alberto Giacometti had been due to contest the King Edward VII Stakes and Arundel the Queen’s Vase.