[NoChanceToDance]

Sergeant set to return to Ascot



by Andrew Scutts


SERGEANT CECIL could bid to put a disappointing run in the Ascot Gold Cup behind him in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the same course later this month.

Though stressing that "no decision has been made yet", trainer Rod Millman said on Sunday that the eight-year-old would be left in at the five-day stage for Europe's mid-summer highlight.

"He's very well and is a good horse at whatever trip he tackles, it's just that he's capable of running the odd stinker," said Millman.

"His homework has been good since Ascot, where there was no particular reason for his performance. Things did not work out, that's all. He had run a couple of races like it before."
Sergeant Cecil finished last of 14, beaten 60 lengths, behind Yeats last time, but he had previously won the Yorkshire Cup over 1m6f.

The 2005 ROA/Racing Post Horse of the Year has kickstarted his last two campaigns over 1m4f in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury, and has won over the King George trip at Ascot.

The key factor in whether Millman and owner Terry Cooper opt to run in the King George, for which Sergeant Cecil is a general 66-1 chance, could well be the likely number of runners.

With prize-money in the Ascot showpiece down to sixth, last year all the runners in the King George went home with a share of the £750,000 pot.