Eleven horses stand their ground for Saturday's G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot including star 3-year-old Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Anthony Oppenheimer's homebred is now unbeaten in five outings and will be a heavy favorite to make it a perfect six on Saturday. His trainer John Gosden could also saddle a further pair of stable-mates for the twelve furlong contest including last year's fourth placed Eagle Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Romsdal (GB) (Halling). Sir Michael Stoute has won the King George a joint record five times and he plans to be doubly represented with last years runner up Telescope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) being joined by the supplemented G2 Hardwicke S. winner Snow Sky (GB) (Nayef). Jockey of the moment Pat Smullen looks set to maintain his successful partnership with Khalid Abdullah's homebred and commented, “He really enjoyed himself in the Hardwicke and obviously stays the trip very well. I have to admit he surprised me with the turn of foot he showed. I'm really looking forward to riding him again.”
A rare Italian challenger is Dylan Mouth (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) who will represent the Stefano Botti stable. The 4-year-old colt is a multiple Group 1 winner in his homeland and the trainer's brother, Newmarket based Marco Botti said, “Stefano is very happy with the horse and thinks he's in great order. I think the plan is for the horse to leave Italy on Wednesday and he will arrive at Ascot on Friday. They have kept him fresh since the spring as the owner was keen to bring him to the King George.” Further European interest is added by the likely appearance of Andre Fabre's Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}). A regular in top level middle distance races Flintshire was last seen chasing home the mighty Treve (FR) (Motivator {GB}) in the G1 Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud.
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