Dettori and Kinross head QIPCO British Champions Sprint field

Frankie Dettori has a major chance of at least one winner on his last day riding in Europe when Kinross bids to repeat last year’s win in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint, in which Shaquille was not declared. 

Dettori has won no fewer than seven Group races on Kinross, including last year’s Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, and the six-year-old is owned by a close pal in Hong Kong-based Marc Chan, so it is no wonder he has become such a favourite.

He was somewhat unlucky when narrowly beaten by Kelina when odds on for a second win in the Foret earlier this month, on unseasonably good ground, and the balance of his form this year suggests he is just as good as last year, when he won in great style from Run To Freedom. 

The expected testing ground plays to his strengths and trainer Ralph Beckett is upbeat about his prospects. 

Beckett said: “He is in good shape after coming back from France and is as good as ever. He is much better on softer ground and seven furlongs is his ultimate distance but the very stiff six at Ascot on soft ground suits him, as he showed last year.”

Sandrine, who beat Kinross on more favourable weight terms in last year’s Group  2 Lennox, got within a length of him in the City of York in August when wearing a visor for the first time.

Trainer Andrew Balding said: “Sandrine is right back to her best and she hasn’t had a hard season. The visor she’s worn at York and Doncaster the last twice has made a big difference, and six furlongs with a bit of give in the ground is ideal for her.”

Hollie Doyle, who achieved her breakthrough at Group 1 level in the race on 25-1 winner Glen Shiel three years ago, partners another outsider in Wokingham winner Saint Lawrence.

Doyle said: “He’s been a bit of a revelation this year. He won the Wokingham convincingly over course and distance, and then he was only just touched off in a Group 1 in France. That was on soft ground, and while I’m not sure he loves it he certainly goes on it. He’s well capable on his day.”

Burke looks to top of successful year

Karl Burke is double-handed with Deauville Group 1 second Spycatcher and Betfair Sprint Cup fourth Swingalong, who was third at 66-1 behind Shaquille in the Commonwealth Cup. 

The Midddleham trainer said: “Swingalong’s best form is on faster ground, as he showed at Royal Ascot, but he has run well on softer. Spycatcher will relish all the rain around as the softer the better for him.” 

Sense of Duty, unbeaten in three races over six furlongs before injury ended her season at three, including in the Group 3 Chipchase at Newcastle, can be excused her defeat at Newbury on her belated return late last month.

Trainer William Haggas said: “That was over five furlongs, and she’d never run over five before. She’d been off a long time and we ran her there in preparation for Ascot. She’s come on for it.” 

Mill Stream, sixth in the Sprint Cup under regular rider Marco Ghiani, will be ridden for the first time by champion jockey William Buick. 

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said: “William had a sit on Mill Stream him on Monday morning and it’s all systems go. He is versatile as far as the ground goes and fingers crossed he has a good draw.”

Rohaan, fourth in 2022 and five times a course winner, and Art Power, fourth, fourth and eighth in the last three runnings, are among those returning for another crack, along with soft-ground specialist Vadream, who was fifth two years ago and sixth last year.