Racing: Proclamation can stun Frankie's followers by sinking QEII stablemate

Frankie Dettori's achievement in winning all seven races on the equivalent card 10 years ago can be measured by his failure even to find seven rides at Ascot today. And one of his five booked mounts, Vortex, shrank away from his responsibilities when declared a non-runner yesterday.

The Italian's imprint will never fade from this fixture, of course, but he cannot pretend to be the dominant personality this time round. For while he has won only one of his three races this season, George Washington remains the most magnetic colt of his generation.

His attempt to shed the frailties apparent in two defeats since that melodramatic performance in the 2,000 Guineas - whether they be physical, as when he was injured at the Curragh, or mental, as some suspected after his comeback at Goodwood last month - is the day's defining theme.

Unfortunately, despite the sumptuous new grandstand, the stage may not prove worthy of the actor. After deplorable weather yesterday, his connections would surely be pardoned if deciding that the deteriorating ground now presents an unpalatable risk.

True, his trainer does not blame the heavy going at the Curragh for his misfortunes there. "The ground never mattered to him, even though he's such a good mover," Aidan O'Brien said this week. "He's so powerful, he always worked through bad ground as well as he did on good."

But there can be no denying that a gruelling race, over what is in any case a stiff mile, would hardly be an appropriate prelude to a climax as critical as the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Assuming George Washington does line up, it will be very hard to support him at short odds. It is possible to absolve his defeat at Goodwood, where he was detached from a hesitant gallop by a jockey whose priority it was - during Kieren Fallon's prohibition - to acquaint himself with his mount's idiosyncrasies. There were hints of the old fire once he found momentum, not to mention the old quirks as he tilted his head this way and that.

O'Brien feels that the colt has flourished since, and on fast ground George Washington could easily retrieve the blazing acceleration he showed when trouncing the subsequent Derby winner at Newmarket in the spring. But the concern must be that this race will be a brutish test at the trip, hardly ideal for his singular talent.

Dettori rides his most obvious rival in Librettist, who would be unbeaten but for suffering an injury in the Dewhurst Stakes in his youth. He is indebted to his jockey for consecutive Group One wins in France, but his heart is clearly in the right place and he is proven in testing ground. As it happens, however, speed seems his principal asset and he may not relish too much emphasis on stamina, either.

He beat Stormy River only narrowly at Longchamp last time and that colt never landed a blow behind Araafa at Royal Ascot, albeit set too much to do. It is worth excusing Araafa his failure at Goodwood last time, when exposed to an excessive gallop while Court Masterpiece hurtled from the rear.

Even if flattered, Court Masterpiece is certainly better than ever this year, but he is yet another whose reserves may be depleted in soft ground. In contrast the Godolphin second string, Proclamation, showed a devastating turn of foot on soft ground in the Sussex Stakes. He ran creditably when undercooked for his debut for the stable at Royal Ascot, and his jockey continues to blossom. The race should be run to suit and Dettori's loyalty to Librettist means Proclamation (4.20) is a generous price.

If conditions are to yield a shock, keep an eye on the lazy Ivan Denisovich now he is visored. The way he finished at the Curragh last Sunday suggests he could outstay some bigger names.

This has been designated Mile Championship Day by Ascot, there being significant races at the trip for the juveniles, too. Sesmen's rookie trainer is concerned about the ground in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile, where English Ballet (3.10) could yet reverse York form with Simply Perfect, being proven with cut underfoot and 3lb better off.

Observatory enjoyed his finest hour on this card and Gold Options (2.35) seems to have inherited the galloping qualities of his sire. Having appreciated soft ground in his maiden, he looks better equipped for the test he will face in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes than most young horses.

The BBC also screens two stampedes down the straight track, in both of which Godolphin field a fascinating runner. Esquire has been saved for soft ground and looked far better than his rating before fading over a stiff mile on his return at Sandown, but a low draw does not look ideal and Polar Magic (next best 3.45) can pounce down the centre in the Totesport Handicap.

Desert Chief has also been drawn near the stands rail and is unproven on testing ground, but it would be no surprise to see him outclass his rivals for the opener. Nevertheless it is hard to resist big odds against WISE DENNIS (nap 2.00), who repeatedly hinted that he is on a fair mark when racing on unsuitably fast ground, before meeting traffic at York last time.

Dettori's rides today: Chris McGrath's verdict

2.00 Desert Chief Forecast odds: 6-1 A cut above his rivals according to gossip from the gallops.

4.20 Librettist Forecast odds: 5-2 Frankie rides him beautifully, but colt needs career best.

4.50 Indian Steppes Forecast odds: 7-1 Reliable filly, but looks too exposed at the weights.

5.25 Establishment Forecast odds: 8-1 Veteran, but still in form. Handles soft so solid chance.

Chris McGrath

Nap: Wise Dennis (Ascot 2.00)

NB: Polar Magic (Ascot 3.45)