DOUBLE ECLIPSE was yesterday ruled out of Ascot next week and will not take on his brother Double Trigger again unless it's for the Gold Cup itself, trainer Mark Johnston revealed.

The year younger stayer's participation in the race has been in doubt since he was found to have filling in a foreleg following his latest win in France. But Johnston finally confirmed his absence from the Ascot Gold Cup yesterday ruling out a repeat of the pair's epic clash for the Goodwood Cup.

"I've been hanging on, saying the Ascot Gold Cup was still a possibility for Double Eclipse. But I have been doing some calculations and, since he is still on bute, I have to be realistic and concede he won't be there," he said.

"I'd like to see the Goodwood Cup repeated. It's probably the best race I'll ever see. But unless it's for the Ascot Gold Cup or the stakes are high enough, it is unlikely to happen.

Johnston is now focussing on ensuring nothing interrupts the preparation of Double Trigger, last year's Ascot Gold Cup winner, who will work tomorrow.

Johnston will be represented in another Group One event, the St James's Palace Stakes, by Bijou d'Inde. Since finishing third in the 2,000 Guineas to Mark Of Esteem, a possible opponent next week, he was only fourth in the Irish equivalent.