Norfolk Stakes favourite Hurricane Ivor to skip Royal Ascot and stay at home

Hurricane Ivor, one of the most impressive two-year-old winners of the European season, will be staying in France for the time being after trainer Fabrice Chappet and owner Fiona Carmichael decided against heading to Royal Ascot with the Norfolk Stakes favourite.

A son of Ivawood – himself owned by Carmichael in his racing days – Hurricane Ivor was made 6-1 favourite for the Norfolk Stakes on the back of a very impressive debut success at Chantilly last Friday.

But speaking at Maisons-Laffitte on Tuesday, Chappet said: "Royal Ascot is not on the cards for him, he'll go for the Prix du Bois [at Deauville] next."

Hurricane Ivor was well touted before his debut in the Prix d'Ogremont and, despite spreading a plate before the start, justified that confidence when scoring by seven and a half lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot.

Chappet said: "I talked with the owner and we decided he is not all that mature and so for the moment he’ll be staying at home, although I’m sure you will have the chance to see him [in Britain] one day. It will be the Prix du Bois and then the Prix Robert Papin here if all goes well."

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Pistoletto, who made it two from two at Naas on Sunday, had been next best in the Norfolk market at 10-1.

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