William Buick to miss Saudi Cup card after testing positive for Covid

William Buick will miss four rides on Saturday's Saudi Cup card after testing positive for coronavirus in Dubai. The leading rider will also miss his four intended mounts at Meydan on Friday.

Buick had four strong chances on the Saudi Cup undercard, including favourite Naval Crown in the $1.5m Group 3 1351 Turf Sprint (1.25). The Godolphin rider will also have fancied his chances aboard Siskany in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (2.05), Noble Truth in the Saudi Derby (4.05) and Copano Kicking in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (4.45).

Fellow Goldolphin rider James Doyle takes over on Naval Crown and Siskany, while Frankie Dettori will now partner Noble Truth and David Egan rides Copano Kicking. Egan will also ride Happy Power in the Turf Sprint, after Doyle switched to the Charlie Appleby-trained Naval Crown.

Trainer William Muir will also be missing from Riyadh on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19 in Britain. His symptoms are said to be mild as he isolates away from his staff at his yard in Lambourn.

Muir will be represented by Group 1 Coronation Cup winner Pyledriver in the $1.5m Jahez-backed Group 3 Neom Turf Cup, with only Japanese star Authority shorter in the betting.

Read more international news:

'It's a bit grim' - Moore laments British prize-money as he targets Saudi riches

'I'm very proud of him' - Arqoob scoops £25,000 Bahrain bonus for William Jarvis

Place bets with seven bookmakers without leaving the free Racing Post app. Same prices, same offers, live video. Every race, every day. Search 'Racing Post App' to download for free