Racing: Princely Peslier

BOOKMAKERS are in no doubt that Lanfranco Dettori has the best book of rides at Royal Ascot this week, but there was an unexpected difference of opinion yesterday over his chance of winning the London Clubs Trophy for the meeting's leading jockey.

Dettori is as short as 4-5 with William Hill to win the prize for the second year in succession, but a far more tempting 7-4 chance with the Tote. Kieren Fallon too has caused confusion among the layers, with the Tote offering just 2-1 against him adding a first London Clubs Trophy to the jockeys' title he won last year, while Coral show a relatively dismissive 100-30.

It is Olivier Peslier, though, whose odds show the most dramatic variation. His forceful ride when winning the Derby on High-Rise 10 days ago means that he will miss the final day of the Royal meeting through suspension, but he has a good book for the first three days, including Desert Prince in the St James's Palace Stakes this afternoon. You would not guess it, though, from the 20-1 offered against him by Hills, although both the Tote (10-1) and Coral (5-1) both take a more positive view of his chances.

There was potentially distressing news for punters yesterday before the meeting had even started, when Sir Mark Prescott, whose Rudimental is the ante-post favourite for tomorrow's Royal Hunt Cup, revealed that the soft ground at Ascot may rule his runner out of the race.

"Rudimental won't run in the Hunt Cup if it keeps on raining," the trainer said. "He won't run on soft going and would hardly run on good to soft. It's disappointing but there is nothing we can do about it. We'll just have to wait and see what happens but I reserve the right to change my mind if I think conditions will be suitable."

LONDON CLUBS TROPHY: William Hill: 4-5 L Dettori, 5-2 K Fallon, 9-2 M Kinane, 14-1 J Reid, 20-1 Pat Eddery, O Peslier, 25-1 W Swinburn, 33-1 others. Tote: 7-4 Dettori, 2-1 Fallon, 5-1 Kinane, 7-1 Reid, 10-1 Eddery, O Peslier, 20-1 others. Coral: 11-8 Dettori, 100-30 Fallon, 5-1 Kinane, Peslier, 13-2 Eddery, 14-1 Reid, 16-1 Swinburn, 33-1 D Holland, 40-1 others.

n Redcar is waterlogged in places and has abandoned Friday's meeting. Saturday's card, with all races taking place over the straight course, looks likely to be saved.