Michael Stoute's travelling head lad Jimmy Scott believes the state of the ground at Ascot could hold the key as to which of the stable's runners - Pilsudski or Singspiel - comes out on top in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes a week tomorrow.
The pair, due to clash with Elie Lellouche's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Helissio, have met on two occasions previously. Singspiel, winner of the Japan Cup, Dubai World Cup and Coronation Cup, denied Pilsudski in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown in April 1996 but Pilsudski gained his revenge in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Woodbine last October.
"There were no excuses when Pilsudski beat Singspiel in the Breeders' Cup," said Scott. "And Pilsudski has improved since. But he is a big, gross horse, who likes to get his toe in, whereas Singspiel is better on fast ground."
Helissio, successful in the Prix Ganay and Grand Prix de SaintCloud on his two starts this season, finished third to Pilsudski in Tokyo, and Scott believes the Frenchman could be vulnerable away from home.
"He would have to be very difficult to beat in France, but it is a case of how he travels," he added.
Bookmakers Coral and the British Tote unveiled the first odds on the race yesterday and were in agreement in making Helissio the 13 to 8 favourite. Coral bet: 13-8 Helissio, 2-1 Singspiel, 100-30 Pilsudski, 10-1 Swain, 12-1 Shantou, Predappio, 16-1 Kingfisher Mill.
The Tote bet: 13-8 Helissio, 3-1 Singspiel, 7-2 Pilsudski, 12-1 Predappio, 14-1 Kingfisher Mill, 16-1 Swain, Shantou.
