A SMALL but select field will be taking on Duke Of Marmalade in Saturday's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot after just 10 entries were left in the race at yesteday's forefeit stage.
As well as the odds-on favourite, Aidan O'Brien has left in Eclipse winner Mount Nelson, the Hardwicke victor Macarthur as well as Red Rock Canyon. "We've left Mount Nelson in but I'd say he's unlikely to run. It looks like being Duke Of Marmalade, with the other two being possibles," O'Brien said.
Michael Stoute is set to be represented by Ask and Papal Bull while Youmzain, runner-up to Dylan Thomas last year, is back for another crack at the mid-summer highlight. Godolphin dominated with three successive King George wins in the late 1990s but their sole entry is last year's Champion Stakes winner Literato.
A mile and a half maiden at Ballinrobe is in a different league but a win this evening would do wonders for the value of Plantatinon Stud's Montjeu filly Yummy Mummy. The Frank Ennis-trained three-year-old brings a 73 rating to the race on the back of a single start this season when fourth to Street Style at Gowran.
John Oxx sends Zamiyla west in search of a valuable winning bracket but she has proved disapointing and Yummy Mummy looks the more likely to improve.
Michael Halford isn't wasting time with Elas Child, who goes in the nine-furlong handicap. A length and a half winner over Alf Tupper at Fairyhouse on Sunday, the apprentice ridden horse can defy a 5lb penalty from a good draw. Cnoc Rua is twice a winner here and a repeat of his third at Cork last month might be enough to win the four-year-old hurdle.
