Roger Teal has opted to skip the Sussex Stakes with his stable star Dancing Gemini in favour of a crack at the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

A winner of the Doncaster Mile and bet365 Mile at Sandown on his first two outings this season, Dancing Gemini came within a neck of breaking his Group 1 duck when denied by Lead Artist in a red-hot renewal of this year's Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The four-year-old son of Camelot subsequently disappointed when eighth behind Docklands in the opening Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal meeting, with Teal keen to give his colt a small break before making the journey to France on August 17th.

"We're going to Deauville," said Teal. "We're going to skip Goodwood. He's had a little break to recharge the batteries. I just felt he was a little bit flat at Ascot after the Lockinge.

"I think the track at Deauville will suit him better and any ease in the ground would help us as well."

Whilst Teal is of no doubt that Dancing Gemini is versatile when it comes to ground, the Windsor House Stables-based handler does believe any ease in the ground will come as an added bonus.

"His last two races have been on very quick ground," said Teal, speaking on Sky Sports Racing. "We've always said he wants decent ground, but both those last two runs have been on very quick ground, and I think he'll be suited by a little bit of ease."

Looking further ahead into the season, Teal remains keen to follow the 'Charyn' route, with both the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot both firmly on the table.

He added: "We're still following the Charyn route. So, if he was to run really well in Deauville there's the race in Longchamp (Prix du Moulin) in September and then hopefully, we could end up at Ascot (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes) for the big meeting in October."

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