Duke Of Marmalade wins King George VI at Ascot Aidan O'Brien's Duke Of Marmalade landed the King George VI Stakes at Ascot today, providing Ballydoyle with their 14th Group 1 success of the year. The son of Danehill delivered a remarkable performance to deny the quirky Papal Bull, who ran the race of his life in second. O'Brien's Red Rock Canyon set a strong gallop that would have tested the stamina of his stablemate and as the field turned for home, Johnny Murtagh pushed the 4-6 winner to the front for a famous win. Papal Bull, ridden by Olivier Peslier, raced towards the rear, before finding a thrilling turn of foot and, at one stage, headed the Ballydoyle star. Duke Of Marmalade though confirmed his status as not only one of the world's classiest horses, but also one of the toughest as he knuckled down to clinch his fourth successive Group 1 this season. Murtagh said: "I quickened up very well and was surprised to see another horse come with me. "But my horse has got the qualities of being a great horse - he's a great battler and has a great will to win. "The race worked out very well for me and to go nine lengths clear of the third (Youmzain) tells you what this horse is capable of. "This is another huge win for meand for the team. "He's one of my favourites, and one of the best I've ever ridden. "He's a true champion." While O'Brien, who landed the race with Dylan Thomas last year, added: "This is marvellous and I'm delighted for everybody. "When he goes to the front he's lazy and Johnny gave him a marvellous ride. "Johnny hadn't planned on taking it up as early as he did, so he was ready for another horse to come to him." Duke Of Marmalade was cut from 7-1 to 5-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by Stan James, but asked about future plans, O'Brien added: "Everything is an option to him and all races are open to him. "You wouldn't mind dropping him back to a mile and a quarter and train him positively, instead of keeping him asleep." Coral make the four-year-old 5-1 (from 6) for the Arc and they also have him at 6-1 (from 8) for the Breeders' Cup Classic. Youmzain, who had tracked Duke of Marmalade for the early part of the race, met some interference in the home straight but clinched third place at 4-1. A rueful Mick Channon said: "He has run another solid race but he didn't get the best of luck. "He got turned round sideways a furlong and a half out and if Peslier had done that in France I know what would have happened. "He will be back for the Arc and we will have a little break beforehand. "It was just that split-second when he was coming with his run, the others had the momentum and it cost us."
