Aidan O'Brien aims to be the ultimate Ascot "party-pooper" today when Highland Reel is the Irish trainer's number one hope for King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes glory.
Sir Isaac Newton is O'Brien's other runner in a seven-strong field that has been decried as possibly the weakest ever assembled for British racing's traditional midsummer highlight, little of which will matter a whit should Dartmouth produce a fairytale result.
If destiny seems to be playing a hand in how the queen’s runner was supplemented into the race just before the hot ante- post favourite and defending champion Postponed was ruled out, then there can be only one result.
It is 62 years since Aureole first won the race named after the queen’s parents and in her 90th year, and on a racecourse indelibly linked with her, there could hardly be a more headline-grabbing outcome.
Not since Carlton House started favourite for the 2010 Derby has there been so much anticipation surrounding a royal runner, but circumstances conspired against Carlton House then and it’s not too difficult to see sentiment being trumped again.
Both O'Brien and Ryan Moore, who rode Carlton House, will certainly hope so, and there appears to be some confidence in Highland Reel's chances of reversing course and distance form with Dartmouth from last month's Hardwicke Stakes.
Just a head separated the pair on that occasion on much softer ground than awaits them this afternoon. It was, however, Highland Reel’s first start since a disappointing run in Hong Kong in April, and O’Brien has always had this as an ultimate target for his dual Group One winner.
“The plan going to the Hardwicke was with an eye on going back for the King George,” said Ireland’s champion trainer, which hardly makes it unreasonable to hope that Highland Reel will prove a sharper proposition this time.
Luminous names
O’Brien is pursuing a fourth King George victory, and a first since Duke Of Marmalade in 2008, when he was the 11th and last Irish-trained winner of the famous race.
For a contest that has helped confer legendary status on luminous names such as Nijinsky, Ribot, Brigadier Gerard and Dancing Brave, the 2016 renewal lacks star power, something that probably makes Ascot’s authorities even more grateful for Dartmouth’s presence.
Talented and admirable as he undoubtedly is, when trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, who is pursuing a record sixth win in the race, employs words such as "good" and "solid" to describe Dartmouth, it testifies to a profile that would otherwise hardly capture the imagination.
The Dubawi colt showed a fine attitude in the Hardwicke and top French jockey Olivier Peslier knows all too well the improvement Stoute can generate in these older horses. It is only half-a-dozen years since he was on board Harbinger, who posted a sensational King George victory by 11 lengths.
This is Dartmouth’s first Group One attempt and it is reasonable to expect his career profile is still on the upgrade.
However, it is hardly unreasonable for a horse that has competed in top Group One races around the globe to also expect that Highland Reel will relish much faster ground conditions than in the Hardwicke.
Proven winners
Only the French hope Erupt, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris in 2015, and the outsider, Second Step, who won a German Group One last year, are proven top-flight winners, while the only three-year-old in the race, Wings Of Desire, has plenty to prove after his fourth to Harzand in the Epsom Derby.
"Dartmouth and Highland Reel look hard to beat, but the weight allowance puts him in the mix," Wings Of Desire's jockey Frankie Dettori said.
The Italian is hardly alone in narrowing the big guns down to the first two in the Hardwicke. Dartmouth will undoubtedly be the popular sentimental favourite. However it’s not just a suspicion that Highland Reel may have more tactical options through the race that will make the Irish star a logical betting choice for many.
Ballydoyle’s juvenile squad have been notably successful this season and it looks significant that How is the selection to fly the flag in the Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes.
Minding’s full sister looked a tricky ride on her last start at Naas, but connections are hopeful a faster pace will stop her from racing so freely here. Michael O’Callaghan’s Magical Fire also takes her chance in a race against the highly-touted Frankel filly Fair Eva.
That one's stable companion Time Test looks set to land York's Group Two feature and Pat Smullen travels for the ride on the colt who finished third in Sandown Eclipse on his previous start.
