RACING/News: Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral headed Aidan O'Brien's usual massive team when entries for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes were revealed yesterday.
He is among no fewer than 17 Ballydoyle inmates put in the Ascot showpiece, exactly one third of an initial field reduced to 51 as Japanese star Jungle Pocket is a non-runner due to injury.
Epsom runner-up Hawk Wing and Oaks second Quarter Moon are among others the Ballydoyle trainer has engaged in a race he won with dual Derby winner Galileo last year.
Godolphin, successful in three of the past five runnings, have 13 horses in the July 27th contest, including last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sakhee and today's Prince Of Wales's Stakes hope Grandera.
Asian Heights, High Pitched and Nayef (another Prince of Wales's hope) are other high-quality British-based horses due to stake their King George claims at the Royal meeting this week.
And the mile-and-a-half event could well live up to its billing as the summer middle-distance championship of Europe if French Derby first and second Sulamani and Act One take up their entry, along with Germany's Coronation Cup winner Boreal.
"All the Classic and top older middle-distance horses are on course for the King George at this stage," said Ascot clerk of the course Nick Cheyne.
Meanwhile, bookies took a bashing at Thirsk yesterday where the first seven favourites on a marathon eight-race programme won to the tune of a 428 to 1 accumulator.
