German Team Hoping For Good Fortune

Sascha Smrczek believes Jimmy Fortune's mastery of Ascot can serve Prince Flori well in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Smrczek's German raider arrives in England on Friday afternoon to add a dash of colour to this famous Group One.

The Dusseldorf-based handler has also executed something of a masterstroke in recruiting Fortune, who was crowned leading jockey at Royal Ascot this year.

Smrczek is now hoping some of that magic will rub off on Prince Flori.

'Jimmy Fortune is a very good jockey and I am very happy to have him,' said Smrczek.

'He seems to know Ascot very well and he should get on with my horse.'

A winner of the Group One Grosser Preis von Baden last year, the Lando colt was last seen finishing third behind Mountain High and Mandesha in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Smrczek expressed delight at Prince Flori's well-being and moved to bury concerns about his capabilities with ease in the ground ? a factor which could come into play on Saturday.

'His form is very good and I am very happy with him,' added the trainer.

'I was happy with him in Saint-Cloud as he did not stop over that distance and finished behind two very good horses.

'The ground is of no concern. He has won on soft before and even if it is super soft, I think it will be OK for him.'

Prince Flori has been the subject of plenty of support in the build-up to the King George and has been backed into 10-1 from 16s with VC Bet.

In contrast, ante-post favourite Dylan Thomas is uneasy in the market, having been odds-on earlier in the week.

Aidan O'Brien's three-time Group One winner is now available at 6-4 in his quest to earn the Ballydoyle team a second King George in the last 10 years.

VC Bet spokesman Neal Wilkins said: 'Dylan Thomas was odds-on last Sunday but has not attracted a copper coin with us this week, clearly because of doubts about the ground on Saturday.'

(C) PA Sport