Anthony Oppenheimer's unbeaten Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) will face nine older rivals as he bids to extend his tally in Saturday's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot after Telescope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the only withdrawal at the confirmation stage. One of the 4-year-olds who stands his ground against the 3-year-old sensation is Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who will be partnered by Andrea Atzeni after the owner opted to jock off regular rider Adam Kirby. Having beaten Snow Sky (GB) (Nayef) in the G2 Great Voltigeur S. over this mile and a half trip at York in August, the bay was third to that rival and the re-opposing Eagle Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the G2 Hardwicke S. over this track and trip last time June 20. Scrimmaging between him and the latter during the race may be the reason why Kirby lost the ride, and trainer Luca Cumani is looking forward to seeing how he will fare in a more truly run affair.
“He's in great shape and I'm sure he'll run a super race,” Cumani said. “The Hardwicke ended up being a petty fight between Adam and Frankie [Dettori, on Eagle Top] and the sum total was that both horses didn't get settled and into a rhythm. He would probably prefer a stronger pace and I hope there is one, but I don't know where it is going to come from. He belongs in Group 1 company, but Golden Horn is deservedly a short-priced favorite and will probably win as he has an advantage getting all that weight from the older horses.”
David Simcock is also looking forward to testing Fitri Hay's progressive The Corsican (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who caught the eye when a strong-closing fourth in the 10-furlong G1 Prince of Wales's S. at the Royal meeting June 17. “We probably could have picked an easier opportunity, but he's improving fast and Dr Jim [Hay] was keen to go,” he commented. “Nothing went right for him in the Prince of Wales's, but he finished off really strong. There is a question mark over this mile and a half, but the way he's finished over a mile and a quarter, he should get it.”
The complete aspect of the race could alter before off-time, however, as heavy rain is forecast to hit the track on Friday. “It's currently good-to-firm, good in places and I expect it to be good-to-firm all over at the end of play today,” Clerk of the course Chris Stickels told Racing Post. “It is a question of how much we get. If we get just 5mm then we'd be nearer good, if we get 10mm-plus it's likely to be easier. The rain is meant to clear on Friday, with Saturday mainly dry. It's hard to guess what the ground will be until we see how much rain we get.”
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