Middle Earth (GB)

Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) heads a field of nine for Saturday's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. after final declarations were confirmed for Ascot's midsummer showpiece on Thursday morning. Aidan O'Brien trimmed his team from five to three for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf "Win and You're In", sidelining Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and will also saddle Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Auguste Rodin, who has hit...

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for five of the 11 possible runners in Saturday's G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes following Monday's confirmation stage, with Auguste Rodin (Ire) set to lead the Ballydoyle team into battle at Ascot as he tries to atone for his disappointing effort in the corresponding race 12 months ago. A four-time winner at the top level as a three-year-old when landing the Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf, Auguste Rodin ran one of his lesser races that season when...

Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot will see a field of 14 sprinters line up in an open-looking renewal which includes last year's surprise winner Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Jamie Spencer, who partnered that Charles Hills-trained 80-1 shot 12 months ago, will instead be on Fitri Hay's other runner Mitbaahy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) from the same stable following his success in The Curragh's G2 Greenlands Stakes last month. Peter Harris's G2 1895 Duke of York Stakes winner Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) represents the Jane...

Causing an upset when edging out Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in a thriller for last year's G2 Doncaster Cup, one of the staying division's leaders Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) returns to Town Moor for another encounter with his nemesis on Friday. Having won Ascot's G3 Sagaro S. and the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York and been runner-up in the G1 Gold Cup in the interim, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's stalwart is better than ever at the age of six and is the one with the target on his back this...

John and Thady Gosden could have as many as four runners, led by G2 Queen's Vase hero Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), in the Sept. 16 G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster next Saturday. The Wathnan Racing colourbearer was most recently third to St Leger rival Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G2 Great Voltigeur S. at York last month. He will be partnered by the retiring Frankie Dettori, who has already won the Classic six times including twice for Gosden with Shantou (Alleged) in 1996 and Logician (GB)...

Qatar Racing's Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion) will be supplemented for £50,000 to the Sept. 16 G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster. Victorious in a 1 1/2-mile novice event at Newmarket July 28, the  Thady and John Gosden trainee doubled up with a win in York's Melrose on the final day of the Ebor meeting (Aug. 26). "He's progressed well throughout the year, he's always looked like a nice staying colt in the making," said Thady Gosden. "Of course, he won the Melrose, which is an impressive handicap, in good...