Bell Relishing Washington Showdown

One potential stumbling block to George Washington making a successful return to racing action at Royal Ascot is reported to be in great form ahead of tomorrow week´s Queen Anne Stakes.

Michael Bell´s Red Evie progressed from winning a Yarmouth handicap off a mark of 77 last April to lifting Leopardstown´s Group One Matron Stakes at the end of a seven-race unbeaten run in September.

Although she was well beaten on her final start in the Sun Chariot Stakes, Red Evie showed that running to be all wrong when making a successful reappearance in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

'She´s in very good form. She looks like being the only girl to take on the boys, but she did it well last time,' Bell said.

'She won at the meeting last year in a Listed race and she certainly likes the track, so we think she has a lot going for her.'

The mile race looks set to draw its usual high-class field, with Aidan O´Brien having pencilled in George Washington to make his reappearance after a short-lived stud career.

Bell fully admits the mercurial Ballydoyle charge will take some beating if in the same kind of shape that saw him stroll away with last year´s 2000 Guineas.

'It does look an interesting race. Obviously George Washington is in there and if he is the same horse as last year, then we all could be in trouble,' he said.

'If she was to do well at Ascot there are races like the Sussex Stakes, but we will just take it one race at a time.

'If we decide to keep her to the fillies´ races there is always the likes of the Falmouth and the Matron ? there are plenty of options.'

(C) PA Sport