Ground is only concern for Golden Horn Team

The forecast of rain is giving owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer cause for concern as Golden Horn bids to continue his scintillating summer in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

A brilliant winner of the Investec Derby at Epsom before seeing off They Grey Gatsby in a barnstorming renewal of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, Golden Horn goes to the well once more in Ascot's midsummer showpiece and is long odds-on to keep his unbeaten record intact.

Connections are confident Golden Horn remains at the peak of his powers, despite a busy campaign, but are fearful of conditions in Berkshire deteriorating.

Oppenheimer said: "I think one's always nervous before a race like this and especially when there is some rain around.

"The way the weather is at the moment, you don't know how much they're going to get, so that's a bit of a worry.

"The horse came out of the Eclipse very well and is such a tough horse now. John Gosden has done a tremendous job with him.

"I think the decision to run in the Feilden earlier in the year rather than going for the 2000 Guineas has paid off. The Guineas might have been too much too soon."

Golden Horn showed his versatility at Sandown three weeks ago, dominating proceedings from the start under Frankie Dettori, but Oppenheimer is hopeful this weekend's assignment will not turn into such a tactical affair.

"I don't think anybody knows what is going to happen, but hopefully it will be easier (tactically) than Sandown," he said.

"There are more runners and hopefully there will be more room to manoeuvre, but we'll just have to see what happens on the day. It would be very nice if he can do it."

Gosden also admits the possibility of rain is a bigger worry than the fact the horse will be seeking a third Group One win in the space of seven weeks.

He told www.godolphin.com: "I have been asked whether we are going to the well too often. My answer is that I am more worried about the forecast of rain at Ascot on Saturday than any fear that we might be overfacing him.

"I think he will be all right if it is good to soft but we will be in unknown territory on soft ground."

The trainer believes Golden Horn is maturing all the time but admits it is a big ask of his Classic star.

" I think he showed in the Eclipse that he's grown up and he showed a good deal of maturity," said Gosden.

"He's a very good horse, but in every sense he's still a young boy. He's the equivalent of an 18-year-old kid, to that extent.

"We're asking him major questions at a young age. If he gets beaten on Saturday, that's life.

"It is exciting to have a horse of his quality in the race. We are looking forward to see him coming here, taking on the older horses over a mile and a half - it's what will bring excitement to the race.

"I think we will see a fantastic race . The Eclipse is a race that the horse has taken well. I have not given him hard pieces of work between his races. We have just kept him happy and ticking over. It will be a different ball game, but a clash like this is what the race is all about.

"He is straightforward in the sense that he has a laid-back mind and to that extent you don't have to spend too much time worrying about him. When you pop him close to a horse, he is business like and grabs the bit."

Assessing the opposition, Gosden said: "I think you have got to take the Hardwicke Stakes winner Snow Sky as a danger as he also won the Yorkshire Cup in great style.

"He sets a good standard and although our jockey (Dettori on Eagle Top) got into an argument in behind, Snow Sky quickened well off the lead.

"Flintshire is a model of consistency with top form. He is a very smart horse. Take nothing away from Postponed either, while Eagle Top is in the form of his life right now."

Golden Horn has been the star of a fantastic year for the resurgent Dettori.

The popular Italian hopes the fairytale continues this weekend.

He said: "I rode him last week. He's in good shape and it's all systems go. It should be a smashing race. With a good horse like that it's very special and I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can . These horses aren't around forever, so I've got to make the most of it."