Dettori looks set to miss Shergar Cup unless rain descends on Newmarket

Ascot may need rain to hammer down on Newmarket if Frankie Dettori is to take up his place in Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

The world's most famous jockey has been provisionally named alongside Andrasch Starke and Per-Anders Graberg in the competition's Europe team.

However, it seems likely he will be able to fulfil his role only if the John Gosden-trained Pennywhistle does not run in Newmarket's German-Thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera Stakes. A decision is now expected on Wednesday.

Ray Cochrane (right), pictured with Frankie Dettori and the jockey's manager Peter BurrellCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gosden has entered the Princess Haya-owned filly in the Group 3 contest, but Dettori's agent, Ray Cochrane, believes her participation could be in doubt if Newmarket receives considerable rain this week.

"At the moment Frankie will be at Newmarket on Saturday but there is still a chance he could be at Ascot," said Cochrane.

"At the moment we just don't know. Obviously Frankie's first commitment is to John Gosden, who has a filly in the Sweet Solera. However, there could be rain sweeping up the east, and if there happened to be a deluge at Newmarket, that could possibly change things.

"I've updated Ascot but as John is travelling back from America we probably won't know more until the morning."

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