Mutamam gets go-ahead for Ascot

Mutamam was today given the go-ahead to tackle Galileo and Fantastic Light in Saturday`s King George VI And Queen Eliazabeth Diamond Stakes.

Last year`s Breeders` Cup Turf fourth will be ridden by owner Hamdan Al Maktoum`s retained jockey Richard Hills in the Ascot showpiece.

Alec Stewart had been worried that this Stg#750,000 contest would come too soon after the six-year-old`s triumphant return from an eight-month lay-off in the Princess Of Wales`s Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago.

But after mulling things over for setrainer said this morning: 'All things being equal Mutamam will be declared tomorrow for the King George.

Mutamam is quoted at 20-1 for the big race by William Hill and Stewart admits he faces the toughest task of his career.

He said: 'Sheikh Hamdan is very keen to run in the King George but though Mutaman has acquitted himself well in Group One races in the past this is the most competitive Group One he has ever run in.

'Galileo and Fantastic Lighthave outstanding claims. Though Mutamam finished ahead of Fantastic Light in the Breeders` Cup there is no doubt that Fantastic Light had a poor run.

'I am under no illusions as to the hard task Mutmamam faces to be in the shake-up.'

Stewart is not looking beyond Saturday`s race for the horse, who has won nine times and earned over Stg#290,000 in a 17-race career to date.

'There is no long-term plan,' he said. 'We take each race as it comes - with a six-year-old you are just grateful to have him in one piece.'

William Hill bet: 4-7 Galileo, 9-4 Fantastic Light, 10-1 Anabaa Blue, 16-1 Golden Snake, Morshdi, 20-1 Hightori, Millenary, Mutamam, Storming Home, 25-1 bar.