SHAAMIT was backed to follow in the footsteps of Lammtarra by completing the Derby/King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes double at Ascot on Saturday.
The Epsom hero, Pat Eddety's mount, was cut in price following Monday's five day acceptors for the Group One event. But the gamble continued yesterday as punters forced his odds down still further, prompting William Hill to slice him from 11 to 4 to 9 to 4 joint favourite with Pentire.
Ladbrokes shortened the son of Mtoto, winner in 1988, to 5 to 2 (from 11 to 4). He is the same price with the Tote (from 3 to 1) but remains an 11 to 4 chance with Coral.
The Kevin Prendergast-trained Oscar Schindler was the only other to move in the market and the four-year-old is now a best-priced 10 to 1 from 14 to 1.
Richard Hills claimed the remaining ride when he was booked to partner 66 to 1 outsider Annus Mirabilis, second string to Godolphin's Classic Cliche.
Farasan completed his final piece of work on the Newmarket gallops to the satisfaction of the Henry Cecil stable.
The trainer's assistant Simon Sweeting reported: "He's fine and in good form. He worked this morning under Tony McGlone with two companions and is exactly how the boss wants him to be."
Clive Brittain was talking up the chances of Luso and is taking extra precautions to ensure there are no setbacks before the big race.
"All is fine with Luso. Like I've always said this horse has a lot of talent. He's a top horse. We've finished his preparations and he'll just have a little swim and canter. He's spot on his racing weight," he said.
"When a horse is fancied, and I really do fancy him, I worry in case anything goes wrong at the last minute.
"So I'll be beating the water bowsers in the morning and sweeping up any stones and his lad will be wearing double-rimmed glasses so he can pick out anything the horse might stand on!"
Advance bookings are more than 20 per cent up on last year for Saturday's De Beer-sponsored meeting.
Over 11,000 people are already due to visit the Berkshire track and discounts of 10 per cent, increasing to 25 per cent for parties of 12 or more, will be available up to 6.00 p.m. on Thursday for the Grandstand Enclosure (full price £15). Members badges are available at £23.
"The reappearance of Shaamit, who has followed exactly the same path as Lammtarra last year and now has the same horse, Pentire, to beat on Saturday, seems to have really caught the public's imagination." said Ascot's clerk of the course, Nick Cheyne.
Jump jockey Richard Davis died from a lacerated liver and severe uncontrollable internal bleeding, it was revealed yesterday.
