Dettori free for Arc day

A cruel sentence for Lanfranco Dettori of missing the ride on Lammtarra in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was averted yesterday when an appeal panel in Paris upheld the result of the Prix Vermeille.

Dettori had partnered the British-trained filly Larrocha to finish third in that Group One race 10 days ago - a short neck in front of Matiara, the mount of Freddie Head. The two fillies were involved in an incident 150 yards out, but the Longchamp stewards took no action, ruling that both riders were to blame.

However, Criquette Head, trainer of Matiara, was unhappy with the verdict and appealed against the decision. Fortunately for Dettori, whose suspension would have included Sunday week, Arc day, the appeal panel decided to uphold the Longchamp stewards' verdict.

This Saturday's highlight, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, will be run without the 1,000 Guineas winner, Harayir. Her owner, Hamdan Al Maktoum, will rely on Bahri to win him a third Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in four years and has decided that Harayir should revert to sprinting and take in the Diadem Stakes over the same course on Sunday. Lahib in 1992 and Maroof last year were Sheikh Hamdan's previous winners in the mile race.

RICHARD EDMONDSON

NAP: Sketchbook

(Pontefract 3.00)

NB: Silently

(Pontefract 4.00)