ASCOT NEWS:ANDREW HEFFERNAN is keeping his fingers crossed Clopf will give a good account of himself when he lines up in the Ascot Stakes today.

The eight-year-old was a Grade One winner as a novice hurdler for Edward O’Grady but after appearing to lose his way slightly over obstacles, the gelding was moved to Heffernan, father of owner Bernard Heffernan.

He made the perfect start for his new trainer when staying on strongly to score on the level at Leopardstown last time and while Heffernan admits to having fears about the trip and the ground, he is hoping for the best.

“He had been disappointing over hurdles earlier in the year and I think running him back on the Flat has just sweetened him up a bit,” said Heffernan.

“He won very well at Leopardstown and as I come to Ascot every year, I thought I would have a runner there,” said the trainer.

“We’ve had runners trained by other people at Ascot but never a runner trained by myself.

“I would be a bit worried about the distance and if the ground is too firm but you never know. He went up 7lb after Leopardstown but he gets in off a nice enough weight and hopefully he can run a nice race.”

Som Tala bids to make it third-time lucky in the race having finished third in 2007 and fifth 12 months ago.

His trainer Mick Channon has re-booked his jockey of last year, Frankie Dettori, after the six-year-old had no luck in running in the Chester Cup on his latest start.

“The handicapper managed to drop him 1lb for Chester and I think with the luck in running you always require, he has a solid each-way chance tomorrow,” the West Ilsley handler told his website, mickchannon.tv.

“He’s been working well for Candy Morris and seems in great heart.

“If there was a drop of rain, it would be fine for him and most of my horses.”

Officials at the track had started to water the course last night ahead of the five-day extravaganza.

Following a dry day, clerk of the course Chris Stickels decide to apply four millimetres of water on the entire track with the going described as good to firm.

“We have had no rain today and it hasn’t rained by seven o’clock tonight, I will be watering,” said Stickels earlier in the day.

“We haven’t had any rain in this area. I think there has been some in Reading as well as south and east of us, but nothing to speak of in the locality.

“The chances of now getting rain are becoming slimmer as the evening progresses from what I can understand from the latest forecast.

“I am planning to put four millimetres on the whole course.

“The forecast for tomorrow is for no real showers, bright and sunny, temperatures of 23 degrees and light winds.

“We’ll see how the track rides but I’d be happy to water in the week if necessary.”

Meanwhile, Cuis Ghaire, runner-up to Ghanaati in the Stanjames.com 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is to miss another clash with the Barry Hills-trained filly in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

Her trainer Jim Bolger said yesterday: “Unfortunately, Cuis Ghaire has met with a slight setback and won’t be running in the Coronation.”