Spencer Misses Ascot in Favour of Art Attack

Jamie Spencer sidesteps Ascot on Sunday to renew his association with Art Connoisseur in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh. Michael Bell's colt is the only British-trained entry in the Group One feature.

Spencer has partnered Art Connoisseur to all his three wins, the latest an impressive victory in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. But bookmakers are at odds over who they see as favorite for the race. Irish firm Cashmans put Art Connoisseur in as their 7-4 market leader while Blue Square go 5-4 the Aidan O'Brien-trained Mastercraftsman.

O'Brien, who has won eight of the last 10 renewals of the race, also has Sea Of Marmara, Gluteus Maximus and Egypt to choose from. Kevin Prendergast's Alhaban, beaten a short head by Mastercraftsman in a close finish to the Railway Stakes at The Curragh last month, is 6-1 with Blue Square to take his revenge.

Bell remains favorite with the sponsors to land the Totesport International with Redford at Ascot on Saturday. Redford is the Tote's 9-2 market leader for the valuable seven-furlong handicap, but he is being hotly pressed for that position by Mark Johnston's Lovelace.

"A week ago we were betting 9-2 Redford and 9-1 Lovelace, but it is now 5-1 Lovelace. We have hardly struck a bet for Redford in the last two days while Lovelace has been all the rage," said Tote spokesman Damian Walker yesterday.

"The ground at Ascot looks likely to be riding on the fast side and as Redford has yet to show he is effective on good to firm going, punters are siding with a proven fast-ground performer.

"Lovelace has a tremendous chance at the weights as he will be racing from a 3lb lower mark than when an unlucky second in the Bunbury Cup." Michael Jarvis has three entries in the International, We'll Come, Tawaash and Kal Barg, but said yesterday he was unlikely to have a runner.