Racing: Frankie Dettori believes Doyen deserves the utmost respect going into Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.
The four-year-old was an impressive winner of the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out, when he thrashed High Accolade by six lengths and broke the track record.
Doyen is the 11 to 10 favourite, but he will be having only his third crack at Group One company after finishing fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp last October and second to Warrsan in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June.
But Dettori, who will partner Doyen in the £750,000 contest, believes that Hardwicke run represents excellent form.
"He's very lightly raced and in the Arc he finished fourth on very deep ground, so give him a chance," he said. "He's a very good horse and any horse that smashes the track record at Ascot must be respected. I'm hoping for a great run on Saturday.
"I rode him this morning and he worked well. He's fine, fit and well and it's very exciting."
Doyen is one of three possible runners for Godolphin as the Dubai outfit also left in Sulamani, who was a disappointing second in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes, and likely pacemaker Lunar Sovereign at today's five-day stage.
Bandari, the Princess Of Wales's Stakes winner, is also a possible runner in the mile-and-a-half showpiece.
The five-year-old is undergoing a renaissance this season, winning on four of his six starts after failing to get his head in front at all last campaign.
DIAMOND STAKES BETTING - Coral: 11-10 Doyen, 6-1 Vallee Enchantee, 7-1 Gamut, Warrsan, 8-1 Sulamani, 14-1 Bandari.
Ladbrokes: 11-10 Doyen, 5-1 Vallee Enchantee, 6-1 Gamut, Warrsan, 7-1 Sulamani, 14-1 Bandari, 20-1 High Accolade, Tycoon, 25-1 Phoenix Reach, 33-1 Hard Buck.
