RACING:ANTE-POST favourite Strong Suit is a surprising absentee from the final declarations for tomorrow's Betfair Celebration Mile at Goodwood. Connections had stated earlier in the week that he would sidestep the race if the ground turned soft and with the track already seeing some rain with more forecast, they have opted not to run.

Strong Suit has only recently been bought by Pearl Bloodstock and their racing manager, David Redvers, revealed the Richard Hannon-trained colt is now likely to wait for the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc weekend.

“We’ll probably wait for the Foret now,” said Redvers. “They’ve had some rain in Goodwood with more forecast and although I’m in France, I’ve been told than when it comes it’s coming in torrents.

“He does act with give in the ground but it’s whether he’s as effective over a mile on soft ground, that would really stretch him and we don’t want to bottom him.

“His main aim is the Breeders’ Cup Mile, which is effectively a seven-furlong race anyway, so we’ve no worries about him over there. We just didn’t want him to have too hard a race so it makes sense. We thought we’d let everyone know early to save messing about.”

Hannon will instead be represented by 2,000 Guineas runner-up Dubawi Gold, who is looking to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Hungerford Stakes.

Last year’s winner Poets’s Voice is one of two representatives for Saeed bin Suroor as he will be joined by stablemate Emerald Commander, a former Hannon inmate. Two seven-year-olds, Premio Loco and Riggins will take their chance, along with Clive Cox’s Beacon Lodge. Andrew Balding’s Set The Trend completes the seven-runner line-up.

Following the defection of Strong Suit, Coral now make Poet’s Voice favourite to follow up his success of 12 months ago.

“Connections of Strong Suit had warned their charge would not line up on ground softer than good, and as a result Poet’s Voice had been well-backed to repeat last year’s win in the race,” said spokesman David Stevens.

“With Zoffany also missing the race, the Godolphin runner is sure to start a warm favourite on Saturday under Frankie Dettori.”

Meanwhile, Mick Channon has decided against running his Royal Ascot winner Samitar against Maybe and La Collina in Sunday’s Moyglare Stud Stakes.

Instead, the Albany Stakes winner will take in the valuable Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Stakes at Newmarket 24th hours earlier.

Channon tweeted: “Albany winner Samitar heads to HQ for the sales race on Saturday after discussing with owners. Just for those asking about the Moyglare!”

Alanza could cross the Irish Sea in pursuit of a Group Three success in the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster on September 8th.

Trainer John Oxx is considering the seven-furlong contest for the Aga Khans filly, who is on a hat-trick after Listed wins at Cork and Tipperary.

“She’s taken all her races well. She’s bouncing along and we’ve been pleased with her steady progress,” said the Currabeg handler.

“We’re thinking of the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster in a fortnight, a Group Three fillies’ race over the straight seven.

“She’s won two Listed races and there are not many of those around now, so that would look a possibility if the weather was kind.

“She needs dry ground. Well probably make an entry and see what the weather looks like.”

**

Willie Twiston-Davies could be back riding out in six weeks after undergoing a successful operation on his broken ankle.

The 16-year-old jockey, son of Gold Cup-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, was unseated from Ballygulleen at the second fence of the Ladbrokes Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Worcester on Wednesday.

He had only returned from injury at Newton Abbot on Saturday, where he secured a winner in a €30,000 handicap with his sole ride of the day.

It was also his first victory since making the transition from amateur to conditional jockey.

“He’s had the operation and all went well,” reported his father. “He’s out of hospital and he’s taking it easy at home.

“With a bit of luck, he’ll be back riding out again in six weeks, so that’s good news.”