King George Preview

Mark Johnston may have had a rare blank Royal Ascot this year but has his sights set on the track's biggest prize when he saddles Universal in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this afternoon.

The Middleham trainer reaches for the sky with the four-year-old, who has earned a tilt at the top level thanks to a series of meritorious efforts since he returned from Dubai in the spring.

Beaten off a mark of 98 in a Kempton handicap at the end of March, Universal has exceeded all expectations with four wins from his last five starts including two in Pattern company to reach a rating of 115 going into the midsummer showpiece.

His latest success in the Group Two Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting convinced the trainer to take the plunge against tip-top middle-distance performers of all ages.

"Its a logical step for him and he ran the race of his life last time," said Johnston.

"Conditions in every way suit him and I don't see why he shouldn't run a very big race. I'm realistic but he's a horse in form and on the upgrade.

"I'll be telling Joe (Fanning) to ride his own race. He doesn't have to lead but we can make our own pace. You've got to respect everything in the race but we'll go and do our own thing."

Sir Michael Stoute has an enviable record in the race and persuaded the owners of three-year-old Hillstar, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes, to pay £75,000 to supplement the colt.

Stoute said: "Hillstar is in good shape for this tough contest. He is a course and distance winner and his preparation has gone well."

The other three-year-old in the line-up is Trading Leather, who attempts to give trainer Jim Bolger a second victory in this race after St Jovite in 1992.

Like the former, Trading Leather travels to Berkshire on the back of success in the Irish Derby.

"He's in good shape and we're looking forward to it," Bolger told At The Races.

"Mentally he's very good. He's a bit edgy going down to the start after Kevin (Manning) gets on him but when he gets there he's fine and he settles well in his races. We'd like nice pace for him and hopefully we'll get that."

German trainer Andreas Wohler is hoping his Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Novellist can pull out the extra he thinks is needed to figure in the finish of such a high-quality race.

"Obviously he has improved this season but this is going to be a tougher race again, the toughest race he's ever had and he'll need to improve even more," he said.

Cirrus Des Aigles was making a belated seasonal debut because of injury when fifth at Saint-Cloud and will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon for the first time in nearly 16 months.

"It was always organised that if Olivier (Peslier) couldn't ride, Christophe will and he knows the horse very well and he knows Ascot, so it is not a problem," said trainer Corine Barande-Barbe.

"He won in Dubai where the ground was very fast. One thing is sure when it is raining a lot and the ground becomes heavy or very deep he is not disturbed at all."

Peslier will be in opposition on the Alban de Mieulle-trained Very Nice Name, who was last seen in action finishing third behind St Nicholas Abbey in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.

"He's very well. He had a long break after a hard winter in Qatar but he has been working well," said de Mieulle.

"He doesn't mind the ground, but he does need a good pace. It will be a hard race, but it's a challenge and we'll see. I think we would be happy if he finishes in the first three."

One of the main home contenders is the Roger Varian-trained Ektihaam, who aims to make amends after slipped up on the bend a long way from home in the Hardwicke Stakes when making the running at the Royal meeting.

"Ektihaam seems in great form and has been pleasing me at home ahead of this race. Who knows what would have happened in the Hardwicke Stakes had he not slipped, but prior to that his form is very strong," the Newmarket handler told www.varianstable.com.

Ed Dunlop accepts Red Cadeaux is an outsider, but stresses that his admirable globetrotter is no forlorn hope.

"If the rain comes it will be interesting," said the Newmarket trainer.

"He's not there just to make up the numbers but I understand why he's the outsider. He seems in very good form. It will probably be his last race in Europe before he goes on his world trip again at the end of the season."