IN-FORM jockey Kieren Fatlon was yesterday handed the chance for further big-race success in Saturday's Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup.

Paul Felgate has booked the Irishman to ride Double Splendour, 10 to 1 third favourite for the £75,000 six-furlong handicap with the sponsors.

"Kevin Darley has to go to Ireland so we snapped up Kieren Fallon," the trainer explained. "He was happy to ride him and we are happy to have him."

Fatlon is currently enjoying his best ever season, his 120 winners to date and big-race successes aboard such as Dazzle and Yeast earning him the job as Henry Cecil's jockey next year.

The progressive Double Splendour has scored twice and only once failed to make the frame in eight starts this term.

"He has gone up 27lb in the weights since Easter Monday and there is a limit to everything but we think he is a very nice horse. He is in tremendous form and he would have as good a chance as any, Felgate said.

Top French filly Shake The Yoke is to miss the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot next weekend. The three-year-old, who won the Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting in June, is instead heading for the United States where she will run in the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup over nine furlongs on turf at Keeneland in Kentucky. The switch follows the purchase of the Elie Lellouche-trained three-year-old by American Wayne B Hughes.