Horn blowing hot for King George John Gosden ominously warned Golden Horn's Ascot rivals the Derby hero is stronger than ever ahead of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. The Cape Cross colt dispelled any fears about his ability to stay a mile and a half with a stunning display in the Epsom Classic at the start of June and proved just as effective back at a mile and a quarter when comprehensively beating his elders in the Coral-Eclipse. He now steps back up in distance as he bids to become the first Derby winner since Galileo in 2001 to strike gold in Ascot's midsummer showpiece. Gosden said: "He's fine and I'm very pleased with him. He's taken the Eclipse very well. "Taking the decision to go forward in the Eclipse was the right decision. He was very relaxed in front and he finished the race well. "We always thought he was a good, proper horse, but he just seems that much more streetwise, harder and tougher now. "He's filled out since the Eclipse and his weight is back where I wanted. "We're not being faint-hearted with him. We're trying to go the tough route." Golden Horn is likely to be one of three Gosden representatives in the Group One contest, with the master of Clarehaven Stables also confirming Eagle Top and Romsdal intended starters. Eagle Top has run just twice since finishing fourth in last year's renewal, finishing fourth in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown and runner-up in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. "The heat got to him in last year's race and then he sustained a little injury that kept him out," said Gosden. "Don't underestimate him as if there are any cracks in Golden Horn's armour, then he could well find them." Eagle Top is reopposed by Hardwicke Stakes conqueror Snow Sky, who was supplemented for the King George. " I was delighted with him (Snow Sky) when he won the Yorkshire Cup, it was a very brave performance," said Stoute. "He was entitled to have a go at the Hardwicke and I was delighted with that result. "After he won the Hardwicke, we thought we'd go another route, as we had been aiming towards the Melbourne Cup. "I had a word with Teddy Grimthorpe (owner's racing manager) and we decided to supplement him for this instead." Stoute also saddles Telescope, who was runner-up to Taghrooda in last year's King George but was well behind Snow Sky at the Royal meeting. "Ryan Moore said we can forget that race as he didn't switch off and it was a muddling pace early on," said the trainer. "He's entitled to go there and take his chance, but he's got a lot to make up on Snow Sky on the Hardwicke form." Snow Sky's owner Khalid Abdullah will also be doubly represented, with the ultra-consistent Flintshire crossing the Channel once more. Andre Fabre's charge was last seen chasing home wondermare Treve at Saint-Cloud. Teddy Grimthorpe said: "Flintshire has been reliably consistent and has been honest and genuine and one of our top performers. "Not many horses win a Group One, let alone two." Postponed was third in the Hardwicke Stakes for Luca Cumani and returns to Ascot this weekend. The Newmarket-based Italian is hoping for an improved performance, granted a stronger pace, but expects Golden Horn to be too tough a nut to crack. He said: "He looks great and goes to the race in very good form. "Don't take anything away from the winner of the Hardwicke, but it was not a very satisfactory race for us. "We're under no illusions that the race is a foregone conclusion - Golden Horn is the best race of his generation. "For me, Golden Horn should win and the rest will fight out second place."
