Moore handed reins of Society Rock for July Cup

Moore has landed the ride on Society Rock, winner of last year’s Golden Jubilee Stakes, while Luke Morris will be aboard Krypton Factor and Jimmy Fortune takes the mount on The Cheka. Society Rock, trained by James Fanshawe, was beaten just half a length on his return to action in the Duke of York Stakes and was then an unlucky fifth behind Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Moore has never ridden the horse before and is an unusual booking for the Newmarket trainer, who has only used him 10 times in the last five seasons.

Fanshawe’s wife Jacko tweeted: “Ryan Moore will be on Society Rock when he runs in the July Cup on Saturday. James happy he wants to ride him and he seems in good form.”

Morris is delighted to have picked up the ride on Krypton Factor for Bahrain trainer Fawzi Nass as Kieren Fallon is needed by Luca Cumani at York. Krypton Factor was just a head behind Society Rock behind Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee.

“Fingers crossed the rain stays away for him,” said Morris. “He likes decent ground and I hope it will dry out for Saturday.”

The Cheka may have been another six lengths behind those two in 12th at Royal Ascot but his trainer Eve Johnson Houghton felt her stable stalwart was below his best that day. “He seems in really good form after Ascot. I thought he ran below par there but I can’t find a reason for it,” said the Blewbury trainer.

Meanwhile, Frankie Dettori spoke of his pride at carrying the Olympic torch at Ascot racecourse yesterday. The popular Italian, who rode all seven winners at the Berkshire track on an unforgettable day in September 1996, was taking part on the 53rd day of the torch’s journey.

Former heptathlete Denise Lewis brought the torch into the course, where she was greeted by a crowd of over 10,000 people. The 39-year-old then handed the flame to Dettori, who carried it on former Cheltenham Festival winner Monsignor. He completed a circuit of the parade ring on Monsignor. Dettori was initially forced to jump off the horse after the 18-year-old gelding appeared unnerved by the huge noise from spectators and later by the sight of the flame. But after calming Monsignor, the jockey successfully rode the horse with the torch in hand before treating the crowd to his famous flying dismount.

Dettori said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to carry the Olympic flame, especially at a track that holds such happy memories for me.”