By George, he's ready to run

There are undoubtedly many things to look forward to over the course of the next five days at Royal Ascot, but arguably the most intriguing is the return to the track of the mercurial George Washington in the Queen Anne Stakes tomorrow.

A scintillating winner of the 2000 Guineas last season, his campaign was

somewhat stop-start after he suffered an injury when beaten on bottomless ground

by Araafa in the Irish equivalent.

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He had a pipe-opener in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and duly showed he was

the best miler around by comprehensively turning the tables on Araafa in the

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

And even though he could only finish sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic over 10

furlongs on his final start, he lost nothing in defeat.

As expected, he was then sent off to what was hoped to be a successful stud

career until it was revealed he had a fertility problem.

It is fair to say he tested his trainer Aidan O'Brien to the limit in the past,

even refusing to enter the winner's enclosure after the Guineas at Newmarket,

but the Ballydoyle maestro is glad to have him back.

"I think he's been back about three months, something along those lines, he

behaves very well back among the rest, but it was about a month before we

introduced him back in to the main string," said O'Brien.

"He's good and at the moment we are very happy. So far he hasn't shown any

signs of temperament.

"He was a little bit unsure of himself and his surroundings at two and three,

but he seems to have grown out of all that now.

"We hope that is behind him, it is obviously a little trait that is there and

he likes to be sure of what he is being asked to do," he told At The Races.

"He seems to be behaving himself. Hopefully everything goes well on the day

and we are looking forward to seeing him run.

"He's good. We think he has matured, we've been very happy with him and he is

behaving very well."

It is ironic following George Washington's unsuccessful first attempt at stud

that one of his main rivals tomorrow will be the filly Red Evie.

Her meteoric rise from handicapper to Group One winner was one of the

highlights of last season.

Successful in the Listed Sandringham Handicap over this straight mile at the

meeting 12 months ago, she completed a seven-timer in the Matron Stakes at the

highest level at Leopardstown in September.

Although she flopped on her final start, she showed she would be a formidable

force in 2007 when taking the Lockinge Stakes by a head from Ramonti on her

seasonal debut last month.

"We're very much looking forward to the race. She looks in very good form and

we're expecting a big run," said trainer Michael Bell.

"Her training routine has gone very smoothly. She's healthy and well and

there's no reason why she shouldn't run a big race.

"The only blip she had was at the end of last year. I'm not sure the Rowley

Mile suits her. Apart from that she's got an unblemished record."