Soumillon steps in for Hurricane ride

Racing:  Christophe Soumillon will come in for the plum ride on King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes favourite …

Racing:  Christophe Soumillon will come in for the plum ride on King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes favourite Hurricane Run at Ascot on Saturday.

Last season's world champion racehorse has been partnered by Kieren Fallon on his last five starts since his purchase by Michael Tabor after his near-miss in the French Derby.

But Fallon is currently banned from riding in Britain and can only resume his partnership with the four-year-old if his appeal in the high court on Thursday is successful.

Trainer Andre Fabre assured punters that Soumillon will leave the son of Montjeu wanting for nothing in the saddle.

"Christophe is going to ride the horse," said Fabre. "It's not a worry that Kieren does not ride and Christophe does.

"Christophe knows the horse, he's one of the world's top jockeys and is perfectly able to ride Hurricane Run at Ascot," Fabre told the Racing Post.

Soumillon has ridden the colt five times in public before Tabor - one of Fallon's retainers - purchased last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner.

The Belgian has yet to win from 20 rides at Ascot and he will be riding in the race for the second time after finishing seventh on Anabaa Blue in 2001.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter