DUKE OF MARMALADE will face seven rivals as he bids to provide Aidan O'Brien with his 14th Group One victory of the season in tomorrow's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The Ballydoyle master is enjoying a superlative campaign and even has the luxury of Hardwicke Stakes winner Macarthur as his second string.

Red Rock Canyon will also represent Coolmore and is expected to take up pace-making duties.

Youmzain, runner-up to O'Brien's Dylan Thomas in both this race and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last season, arrives on a high having landed the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time.

Mick Channon's consistent five-year-old will be running in his 11th consecutive Group One race.

Michael Stoute has two strong candidates in Papal Bull and Ask as he aims for a first win since Golan's triumph in 2002.

Last year's St Leger winner Lucarno will represent John Gosden and arrives in top form, having won the Princess of Wales's Stakes on his last outing.

Terry Mills' Petara Bay, third behind Lucarno and Papal Bull last time out, completes the field.

With a big win in France under his belt, connections of Youmzain feel confident ahead of this assignment.

"Youmzain goes into the King George with very solid claims," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah.

"He underlined that he is top class with that victory in France, and we don't need to overly concern ourselves with the opposition.

"All we hope for is a truly-run race where there is a proper gallop, and also that he enjoys a smooth passage, which he should do in what is set to be a small field.

"It has been well documented that he likes to come from off a fast pace and, as long as the race is a fair-and-square test, then he should be playing a key role at the finish.

"He was second in the King George last year, it would be lovely for his owner and trainer if he can go one better this time around," Raymond said.

Last year's champion filly Peeping Fawn is nearing a return to the track after a lengthy absence.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old, who has yet to run this season, was a revelation last term.

After finishing second in the Epsom Oaks to Light Shift, she rattled off four Group One triumphs, including the Nassau Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks.

"She's back in good shape and the idea is to get her out in the next couple of months, but we are happy with her progress," said O'Brien.

"She had a month off in the spring, and it just takes a long time to catch up again."

The news, however, was not so positive about another Ballydoyle absentee, 2007 Melbourne Cup third Mahler.

"Mahler pulled a ligament at the back of his knee and I'm not sure he's going to make it back this year," O'Brien said.