Stoute expecting bold Sky show

Sir Michael Stoute feels Snow Sky did not receive due credit for last month's Royal Ascot victory ahead of his return to the track for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The master of Freemason Lodge has saddled a joint-record five previous winners of the prestigious event, with the brilliant Shergar setting the ball rolling in 1981.

This year's candidate had connections considering a trip to Australia after a tenacious Yorkshire Cup triumph in the spring, but his dominant and slightly surprising front-running display in the Hardwicke Stakes led to a change of heart.

While Stoute acknowledges his four-year-old has plenty on his plate in conceding almost a stone to unbeaten Derby hero Golden Horn, he is anticipating a bold show.

" He actually quickened well in the Hardwicke and I don't think people have appreciated that," said the Newmarket handler.

"He seems in good shape and while we have great respect for the Derby winner, he's entitled to take his chance.

"We're happy with his preparation and it looks a fantastic race."

Snow Sky carries the colours of Khalid Abdullah, who last landed the King George with Dancing Brave in 1986.

The owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: " For the Hardwicke Stakes, we discussed the race beforehand. Pat Smullen had never ridden him before and it didn't look like there was going to be much pace in the race and we knew he stayed well in the Yorkshire Cup.

"We said if there was no pace, don't be afraid to go on and make it and Pat timed it to perfection. He showed a good turn of foot and he was not really coming back to them at the end."

Smullen is delighted to have been given the call-up once more.

He said: " It's great to get back on him and I think he's there with a huge chance.

"Obviously, Golden Horn is going to be extremely difficult to beat, but I was impressed with my horse in the Hardwicke.

"Golden Horn looks a very good colt and is getting the weight concession from the older horses, so it's going to be tough."

Abdullah has an interesting second string to his bow in the form of Andre Fabre's French challenger Flintshire, who was last seen chasing home Treve at Saint-Cloud.

Grimthorpe said: " I think there'll be several things that will suit him. The pace will be decent and he thrives on a decent pace, Andre Fabre said he likes going right-handed better, so he has that in his favour and most importantly he likes fast ground."

Golden Horn is just one of three runners for trainer John Gosden, who struck King George gold with Nathaniel in 2011 and with Oaks heroine Taghrooda 12 months ago.

Eagle Top was fourth in last year's renewal and was last seen filling the runner-up spot behind Snow Sky in the Hardwicke.

The Godolphin-owned Romsdal has been off the track since finishing fourth behind the same horse in the Yorkshire Cup.

Gosden said: " The race at Sandown (Brigadier Gerard Stakes) was not run in Eagle Top's style. He ran a good race, but got tired as expected.

"It was always the plan to go to Hardwicke and then come to the King George. We've not seen the best of him yet."

Richard Hughes, who retires from the saddle in just a week's time, gets one last shot at King George glory on Eagle Top.

He said: " I'm absolutely delighted to have got the ride. He's second favourite and looks to be the danger to Golden Horn.

"He was really impressive at Ascot last year where he won the King Edward VII Stakes and ran a good race at Royal Ascot on his latest start when he finished behind Snow Sky.

"He's a maturing horse and seems to be improving, so I'm hoping he puts in a good show on Saturday."

William Buick rides Romsdal and said: " Romsdal is a very good horse in his own right but looks to be up against it in this company.

"Golden Horn obviously is the one we all have to beat but Eagle Top and Snow Sky are also high-class horses."

Postponed was third in the Hardwicke and his trainer Luca Cumani feels he can at least close the gap on Snow Sky.

"It's always been the plan to go for the King George since he won the Great Voltigeur last year," said Cumani.

"He's very well and we couldn't be happier with him.

"He (Snow Sky) had it his own way, setting slow fractions, and Postponed didn't get into any rhythm and had a private battle in behind.

"I'm not saying we're going to beat Snow Sky, but on the other hand, we could see a different result. It's fantastic to win any Group One, but the King George is one of the great races of the year."

The Corsican also ran with credit at the Royal meeting when fourth in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

David Simcock's charge steps up to a mile and a half for the first time in over a year and big-race jockey Jim Crowley expects the extra distance to suit.

"We've always held him in high regard and it was a messy race (at Ascot). There was a bit of argy bargy turning in and there was knock-on effect for us," Crowley told At The Races.

"When I got him out, he picked up really well. In another stride he would definitely have been third and he took a bit of pulling up that day, so I'd like to think the extra two furlongs will help.

"It's going to be hard to beat Golden Horn, giving weight away to a Derby winner, but I think he goes there with a good each-way chance.

"I've ridden Snow Sky, who is a lovely horse. Certainly The Corsican won't be far behind him."

Simcock also runs the only mare in the field in Madame Chiang.

Dylan Mouth is an intriguing challenger for Italian trainer Stefano Botti. He is a multiple Group One winner in his homeland, but failed to fire on his only previous visit to Britain at Royal Ascot last summer.

"The horse has matured since last year. He is much calmer now and doesn't pull like he did last year. We are hoping for a much better performance than last year at Royal Ascot, when he was drawn wide and was pulling like mad," said Botti.

"He is both physically and mentally more mature this year. We are expecting a good run from him at Ascot on Saturday."

The 10-strong field is completed by Peter Niven's pride and joy Clever Cookie, who has won each of his two starts this year before missing the Gold Cup on account of the fast ground.

Niven said: "They're supposed to get some rain, so that will be in our favour. I think there's two horses that want rain, ours and the other is a 66-1 shot (Madame Chiang).

"We'd obviously prefer it if the race was a bit further, but hopefully the rain will help on that score and we'll see how he gets on.

"He's there to take his chance and nobody can say he hasn't improved this year. We'll find out how good he is on Saturday."