O'Brien looking forward to Work rematch Cape Blanco will bid to show his Dante Stakes win over Workforce was no fluke when the two Derby winners renew rivalry in a mouthwatering King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Excuses were made for Workforce after he was beaten by Aidan O'Brien's charge in the big Derby trial at York in May, with the bit going through his mouth. But it had not been plain sailing for Cape Blanco, either, as he was sore after the race. Workforce, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, made amends in spectacular style in the Investec Derby while Cape Blanco flopped in the Prix du Jockey Club only to land the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on his latest outing. O'Brien is looking forward to the rematch in the midsummer showpiece, sponsored by Betfair. "We've been very happy with him since the Curragh. We always thought very highly of him and the only blip on his copybook was France. We just put that down to an off-day," the Ballydoyle handler told At The Races. "The Curragh was the first time he'd run over a mile and a half and he showed all the courage and class we thought he had in the Irish Derby. "He did finish sore after the Dante. He cut the back of his heel. "We were very happy with him going to York. It was his first run of the season and most of our horses have been coming on for their first run. A few days after York he was perfect. "He came out of France very well and we were happy going to the Curragh with him. It's going to be exciting." With stable jockey Johnny Murtagh suspended, Colm O'Donoghue comes in for the plum ride. "It's great to get a ride like Cape Blanco in the King George and I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "Cape Blanco is very uncomplicated. I can ride him anywhere I want. I'll just have to ride the race as it unfolds in front of me. "He showed how good he was in the Irish Derby. It was a very good performance."
