Murtagh Keen On Thomas Mount

Johnny Murtagh is looking forward to getting back aboard Dylan Thomas in tomorrow's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Murtagh last rode the Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old to finish third behind Sir Percy in last year's Derby and the son of Danehill has had five different partners in the interim.

Traditionally seen as the mid-season championship, this season's renewal has been described in some quarters as being a bit below-par.

However, Murtagh, who won the race on John Oxx's Alamshar in 2003, believes the contest is still one of the highlights of the year despite its detractors.

'I'm really looking forward to it,' said Murtagh.

'It looks like it is going to be a tough race and hopefully there will be no ?heavy' in the ground and I'm looking forward to riding him again.

'Last time I rode him was in the Derby and he ran a great race to finish third.

'I forced the pace that day but I'll have a chat with Aidan O'Brien beforehand to see what the tactics will be tomorrow.

'He's a Group One winner over a mile and two so he should have plenty of pace, that shouldn't be a problem.

'He's finished second in his last two races but both Manduro and Notnowcato who have beaten him are Group One winners themselves.

'I'm having a real good run at the moment and it kind of snowballs. You get on one and the others follow ? success breeds success.

'I'm really looking forward to it and it was great to get the call up, it's the biggest race of the summer.

'Everyone is trying to knock it but you ask any trainer or owner what race they would like to win and the King George would be right up there.

'I won it on Alamshar a few years ago and I'm sure it will be just as sweet second time around.'

Rod Millman steps the admirable Sergeant Cecil back in trip after a disappointing show in the Gold Cup at last month's Royal meeting.

While the Cullompton trainer appreciates the scale of the task ahead, he is looking forward to seeing what his stable star can do over 12 furlongs.

'He's fine and obviously there are some good horses in the race and we are the outsider, but we've got some good form and apart from the Gold Cup we never seem to get beaten very far,' he explained.

'He was just a bit too keen last time and he bumped a few horses and got bumped himself. He just likes to be switched off a bit more.

'My plan was actually to have a go at the Coronation Cup but then because he won so well in the Yorkshire Cup, we decided to go straight for the Gold Cup.'

Millman hopes a decent pace ensues tomorrow and that Sergeant Cecil can still display his famed change of gear over the shorter trip.

'He's a good horse and we just hold him up and press the button whatever the trip is,' he said.

'He's got a good turn of foot and he's not slow but whether he has the quality turn of foot needed for this, we'll find out tomorrow.

'He doesn't really like soft ground but it obviously makes it more of a stamina test, so what's against him in one way helps in another.

'We're under no illusions that it's a hard task but he's only got to beat one to pick up £10,000 and you just have to have a crack.

'We always wanted to have a go over a mile and a half and I don't think we'll be disgraced.'

Consistent performer Maraahel is still searching for a first win at the highest level and tomorrow will be his 12th outing in Group One company.

Despite getting the better of Scorpion, who is in opposition again tomorrow, in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, his trainer Sir Michael Stoute is well aware of the severity of his task.

'I think you've got to be realistic as in the Hardwicke he was getting 5lb off Scorpion, so it is going to be tough to beat him at level weights,' said Stoute.

'We won't get involved in the tactics yet because we want to see where they are going today, there is a lot to determine.

'Our fellow is very straightforward. He's won being held up and he's won from the front as well so we have options.

'He's not really inconsistent if you look at his record. If you go back to last year, he was only beaten a short-head by Notnowcato in the Juddmonte at York and he beat Mountain High in the Hardwicke, which is very good form.

'He was fifth in the race last year but he just got squeezed up on the home turn and took a while to get going again, he certainly would have been closer,' he told At The Races.

'There are some very good solid horses in there but it is a shame there are no three-year-olds. We have to be realistic though and Authorized went for the Eclipse instead.'

(C) PA Sport