George Washington could head a three-strong Aidan O'Brien team into Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot but only if the meeting escapes being affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England.

Ascot is within a 10km surveillance zone after the latest outbreak of the virus which is only two miles away from placing the famous track within a total exclusion zone. Ascot's officials are confident next weekend's fixture can go ahead and a spokesman said: "At the moment we are two miles outside the total exclusion zone so unless the situation changes again, we're looking at racing as normal."

If it does get the green light, George Washington looks like attempting a repeat of last year's spectacular triumph in the QEII which guaranteed him champion miler status in Europe. The enigmatic colt has an alternative in the Shadwell Mile at Keeneland the following weekend but O'Brien said: "There are plenty of options for George but at the moment we are looking at the QEII. Excellent Art and Duke Of Marmalade are also being trained with the Ascot race in mind and it's quite possible, but not definite, that all three will run."

That would leave the way clear for the French Guineas winner, Astronomer Royal, to run in the Keeneland race.

There is a cross-channel raider at Ballinrobe today as the Mark Prescott-trained Caravel makes the journey from Newmarket to Mayo for the nine-furlong conditions race and he looks capable of conceding the weight.