Covid travel issues could prevent Andre Fabre from adding to Royal Ascot tally

While Royal Ascot prepares to throw a party for the anticipated 12,000 spectators allowed in on each of its five days, the meeting's most ardent supporter among France's training ranks may not end up sending any runners.

Andre Fabre has saddled nine winners at the meeting during his illustrious career – only Wesley Ward with 11 boasts more Royal Ascot victories among currently active trainers from outside Britain and Ireland.

However, the travel issues surrounding Covid-19, and to a lesser extent Brexit, mean that most if not all his suitable candidates will be staying in Chantilly.

Victor Ludorum and Duhail will be in action at Longchamp on Sunday, but both were scratched from the Queen Anne Stakes earlier this week, when Fabre took five of his original eight entries out across the major races.

"The travelling conditions are really impossible with the quarantine so I changed my mind," said Fabre, who runs Duhail in the Group 3 Prix du Palais-Royal at Longchamp, while Victor Ludorum was always pencilled in for the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan before any potential trip to Ascot.

"The plan is to bring Duhail across to the Sussex Stakes at the end of July so I have to run him in something, even with a penalty."

Burgarita: Andre Fabre must decide between the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot or the Prix de Diane Longines for the unbeaten daughter of Sea The StarsCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Fabre said impressive Prix de la Seine winner Burgarita remained under consideration for the meeting, though she could yet be re-routed to Chantilly the following Sunday to the Prix de Diane Longines, for which she is a 7-1 chance.

"I was planning to go for the Ribblesdale with Burgarita but, again, I might switch for the Prix de Diane, I have to discuss it with the owners," said Fabre.

Confirmed French runners for the meeting are thin on the ground at this stage, with 12 entries left after the scratchings stage.

Francois Rohaut has said he will "do everything possible" to get Commonwealth Cup second favourite Suesa to Ascot from his southwestern base in Pau, while Mikel Delzangles and the Aga Khan team have the Duke of Cambridge Stakes as a potential target for Sagamiyra.

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