Showdown in King George at Ascot

This Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot is shaping up as a showdown between Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien.

Stoute has won three editions of the King George and he will be represented by Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Conduit (Dalakhani), Coronation Cup (G1) winner Ask (Sadler’s Wells) and comeback galloper Tartan Bearer (Spectrum).

O’Brien has collected the last two King George trophies with Dylan Thomas and Duke of Marmalade and he will rely on 2008 Irish Derby (G1) winner Frozen Fire (Montjeu) along with Golden Sword (High Chaparral), Freemantle (Galileo) and Rockhampton (Galileo).

Likely favourite Conduit has been placed in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) and Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown in his last two outings.  “He won the St Leger before the Breeders’ Cup because he’s a relaxed horse, which enabled him to get the trip,” Stoute said.  “But I think a mile and a half (2400m) is his best distance.  I’m hoping he’s the sort of horse that peaks in the second half of the season.”

Ask had been knocking on the door of top-level success before finally breaking through in a pulsating renewal of the Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 5.  “That win showed his tenacity, but I don’t think the firm track suited him,” Stoute revealed.  “The more ease in the ground, the better it will be for him.”

Tartan Bearer was placed in both the English and Irish Derbies last year and he came back from an enforced break to win the Gordon Richards St (G3) in April prior to a close second in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.

“I’ve been happy with Tartan Bearer,” Stoute explained.  “I contemplated bringing him back for the Champion Stakes in October but why bother for one race.  I won’t predict the result, I just feel my horses are in good shape and I’m just hoping for the best.”

The King George field also includes 2008 English Oaks (G1) winner Look Here (Hernando), 2007 Italian Gran Criterium (G1) winner Scintillo (Fantastic Light) and last-start Princess of Wales’s St (G2) runner-up Alwaary (Dynaformer).