Mildenberger handed Grand Prix de Paris target after missing Royal Ascot

Mildenberger has next month's Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp as his target after being forced to miss Friday's King Edward VII Stakes through lameness.

The Dante second was long regarded as one of Mark Johnston's strongest contenders at a meeting at which he traditionally excels, and the King Edward VII, which the stable won for a third time 12 months ago with Permian, was his preferred option over the Queen's Vase.

However, Mildenberger, who is in the same ownership as last year's ill-fated winner, was found to be lame before declarations. His absence is a blow to the stable, but the problem seems less serious than it might have been.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father, said: "Sadly he was lame this week, which is absolutely gutting as we thought he was our banker. We've blocked him to his foot now, so we know where the problem is, and hopefully that means there are no serious long-term repercussions.

"It's a minor hold-up, but just awful timing. We're looking now at the Grand Prix de Paris on July 14, which is where Permian went after Royal Ascot and just got touched off. Hopefully we'll have him right in good time for that."

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