Beckett 'Happy' With Westover Ahead Of King George

Westover | PA Media

Last month's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is pleasing trainer Ralph Beckett in advance of his next start in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. on Saturday. The field for the Ascot prize is high on quality, with the G1 Oaks second Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), also signed on for the 3-year-old brigade. The 2021 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), as well as fellow Group 1 winners Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) and Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) have lined up, as well.

“He's trained well since, we've been happy with him and he looks like he's ready to go,” Beckett told TalkSPORT2 of his charge, who will be ridden once again by Colin Keane.

“Races like this are what we all do it for, days like Saturday, they don't come around too often so you've got to make the most of them.

“Juddmonte have an agreement with Colin Keane to ride their horses when he's available. This is just an extension of that.

“We don't have a stable jockey, we have three jockeys who ride for us regularly but if an owner wants someone else that is their prerogative and all concerned understand that.

“Colin obviously knows the horse now and in that sense it is pretty straightforward.

“It was great for Rob [Hornby] to win the [G1] Falmouth [S. on Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire})], he's been coming here once or twice a week for the last three years and that has been a very happy arrangement and we've had plenty of luck, that was a second Group 1 inside nine months.”

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