Fast ground claims three Ascot victims

Ikhtyar, Dandoun and Nayyir have all been pulled out of the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot due to the fast ground.

The going at the track remains good to firm, firm in places despite two millimetres of rain overnight.

Ikhtyar was declared by John Gosden on the proviso of further rain while John Dunlop attached a similar condition to Dandoun's run.

Nayyir's trainer Gerard Butler expressed his worries over the quick going after walking the track.

He said: "I have a lot of sympathy with Nick Cheyne (clerk of the course), he could only go with the weather forecast and the weather forecast predicted rain."

Cheyne explained: "We watered on Monday and with further rain predicted for Thursday and Friday, I can only reiterate that I could not ignore the forecast and water later in the week regardless.

"Similarly, watering overnight when you're racing the next day runs the risk of producing a greasy surface.

"It's safe good to firm ground, firm in some places, which is a reflection of the natural weather conditions we've had this summer and autumn to date.

"The ground won't suit everyone, just as it hasn't in the past when this meeting has been run on very heavy ground."

Two non-runners have also been declared in the day's other Group One event, the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile. Dunlop's Hathrah and Butler's Donna Vita will miss the race.