Racing: Rain may stop Ascot attempt by Sendawar

HOPES THAT Sendawar will tackle tomorrow's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes were fading yesterday as rain turned the Ascot going to soft. Alain de Royer-Dupre, his trainer, is reluctant to risk his leading miler on an unsuitably soft surface and travelled from France yesterday to inspect the course.

"He has walked the track and unfortunately there has been more rain than he wanted to see," Ascot's clerk of the course, Nick Cheyne, said. "He has gone back to France to talk to the owner [the Aga Khan]."

Withdrawal of the three-time Group One winner would take much of the significance away from the Ascot race, which often determines the European milers' championship. Docksider and Lend A Hand are other entries for the pounds 320,000 contest likely to be ruled out by soft going.