Aidan O’Brien’s Highland Reel will renew rivalry with The Queen’s runner Dartmouth in Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes but both have an odds-on mountain to climb in the shape of Postponed.
Last year’s winner dominates the ten entries left in Ascot’s midsummer highlight and was immediately made a 1-2 favourite by bookmakers.
Highland Reel disputes second-favouritism with Dartmouth and is the No.1 contender among a triple-Ballydoyle entry which also comprises Sir Isaac Newtown and Shogun.
The Irish star came up a head short of Dartmouth in a memorable Hardwicke Stakes finish over the course and distance last month, a result that encouraged the Queen’s team to pay almost E100,000 to supplement their four year old into this weekend’s feature.
Erupt remains a possible French starter while Wings Of Desire is likely to be the main hope for the classic generation in a race that three year olds have won just twice in the last dozen seasons.
Tuesday’s Irish action is Ballinrobe’s National Hunt card where Buonarotti Boy can relish a return to hurdles.
Gordon Elliott's runner failed to fire when favourite for a flat race at Bellewstown and trailed in last with Pat Smullen reporting the horse was never travelling.
Jack Kennedy is in the saddle for the first of the handicap hurdles where significantly the horse sports first-time cheek-pieces.
Fleury’s Fort is on a four-timer in another handicap and the way he travelled around Limerick on his last start suggests this tight track should be no trouble to him.
Ballinrobe: 6.00- Cradle Mountain 6.30- Kansas Kid 7.00- Buonarotti Boy 7.30- Rise Of An Empire 8.00- Fleurys Fort (Nap) 8.30- Think Of Me 9.00- West Burma
Nap and Double - Fleurys Fort & Buonarotti Boy
