Stoute team favouring King George bid for Maraahel

/ Editor / 26 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Last weeks gutsy Hardwicke Stakes hero Maraahel could well make his next appearance in the mid-summer showpiece, the King VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's grand performer got the better of a tremendous tussle with Scorpion to land the Royal Ascot Group 2 contest for the second year running and connections now believes that a bid for a first Group1 win at Ascot on July 28 could be next on the six-year old's agenda.

Speaking on behalf of owner Hamdan al Maktoum, Angus Gold told the Racing Post: "He's an absolute gem of a horse and has saved our Ascot two years running.

"Although I haven't spoken to Sheikh Hamdan, I think the King George is more of a possibility than Sandown (Eclipse Stakes). He has run well at Ascot on several occasions and the mile-and-a-half suits him."

Brilliant Epsom derby winner Authorize remains a very warm order in Betfair's ante-post market trading at 2.2. Dylan Thomas is offered to back at 8. Manduro 9.4, Eagle Mountain 11, Scorpion and Mandesha 13.5 and it's 20 bar.