2-1 Dylan Thomas On The Drift On Betfair

With the weather forecast predicting rain, then more rain, in the next few days, it is no surprise to see Dylan Thomas drifting out to 2-1 and bigger on Betfair for Saturday's King George.

And it would not be the biggest shock in the world were he not even to start favourite, if taking his chance in soft or heavy ground.

In fact, the Betfair market is beginning to suggest that current 4-1 chance and stablemate Scorpion, a confirmed mudlark, could trump him in the betting come the weekend.

Dylan Thomas is clearly the class horse in the race, as illustrated by Timeform having him 4lb clear of the field. But on two occasions that he has officially encountered ground with cut in it, Dylan Thomas finished 6th of 7 to Palace Episode in the Racing Post Trophy in 2005 (heavy) and a similarly below-par 4th of 7 to Notnowcato in the Juddmonte at York last August (good to soft).

And while he did win the Derrinstown Derby Trial on yielding ground, where Saturday's 15-2 chance Youmzain was over 1 1/2 lengths away in third, he clearly is a far more effective tool on fast ground.

Conversely, Coronation Cup winner Scorpion will be the Ballydoyle colt who will revel in bottomless conditions, as he showed when winning the 2005 St Leger and subsequently.

Betfair spokesman Eoin Ryan said: 'Having been all the rage for King George over the past two weeks, Dylan Thomas now finds himself in a similar position to most weather forecasters out there right now ? unpopular.

'If the rain persists then I think everyone will be out to get him come Saturday.'

To win King George ? Betfair bet: 2-1 Dylan Thomas, 4-1 Scorpion, 11-2 Maraahel, 15-2 Youmzain, 12-1 Laverock, Prince Flori, 33-1 Sergeant Cecil, 69-1 Yellowstone.

Timeform King George Ratings

• Dylan Thomas 136
• Laverock 130
• Maraahel 129
• Prince Flori 127
• Scorpion 132
• Sergeant Cecil 130
• Youmzain 130
• Yellowstone 124