Millman waiting on Dettori for Cecil

Rod Millman will not find out until later in the week if Frankie Dettori will be able to continue his association with popular stayer Sergeant Cecil in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup on Friday.

Dettori stood in for the sidelined Alan Munro to great effect last season to win the Lonsdale Cup, the Doncaster Cup and secured a famous first Group One win in the Prix Du Cadran at Longchamp.

But he is expected to be required by his employer’s Godolphin to ride Measured Tempo in the Swettenham Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury on the same day instead.

“It would be a bit of a pain if that was the case and he has told me that he is going to let me know on Tuesday,” said Millman.

“I’m really pleased with the horse and we’ve not had him this sharp at this time of year before.

“If the ground went heavy like last year it would probably suit Percussionist again who beat us in it last year, but that was the heaviest ground I have ever seen Flat racing on. It just blunts his turn of foot.”

The evergreen eight-year-old also holds an entry in the Coronation Cup at Epsom over a mile and a half, a trip many think is on the short side for the out-and-out stayer.

“It’s a big possibility he could run at Epsom,” said Millman. “If they had gone a quicker pace at Newbury (in the John Porter), where would he have finished?

“He covered the last furlong at Longchamp quicker than any horse I have ever seen and his big asset is that he stays two miles whereas a lot of horses don’t.

“I’m not saying he’s top-class over a mile and a half but it will be exciting if he is within striking distance in the last two furlongs.

“I’ve never seen him off the bridle in a race yet and we think he has genuinely improved again this season.”