George heads betting to win a second QEII

George Washington, without a win since last year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, is

favourite to land this year's renewal at Ascot on Saturday despite meeting his two recent Longchamp conquerors, Darjina and Ramonti, on the same terms.

The four-year-old, who had his

stud career aborted in March

because of fertility problems, has

run three times this season,

registering a fourth at Royal Ascot

(behind Ramonti) and two thirds.

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He could have a new jockey with

Johnny Murtagh in the frame.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said:

'George will work on Tuesday. He

will work alongside Duke of

Marmalade and Excellent Art and we

will have a chat in the evening.

With Archipenko, a combination

of any of them might run and we will know on Wednesday. Johnny

Murtagh might be asked to ride

him — it all depends upon how

they are in the morning.'

This year three different jockeys

have tried to motivate Georgeous

George. Even Kieren Fallon could

not get him closer than three

lengths adrift of Darjina in the

Prix du Moulin on September 9.

Mick Kinane rode him to a close

fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes

while Seamus Heffernan, his

regular work rider at Ballydoyle, was

aboard when third in the Eclipse

Stakes at Sandown.

Frankie Dettori remains

confident that Ramonti will repeat his

Queen Anne victory. Dettori said:

'You could set a clock by

Ramonti. He is very consistent

and has won two Group Ones

and has two seconds in Group

Ones this season.

'I think the race should be

made for him at Ascot with its

nice stiff mile. Longchamp has a

very quick straight and I was a

bit vulnerable to the filly's

(Darjina's) turn of foot last time.'

Hills bet 2 George Washington,

3 Darjina, 9-2 Ramonti, and

Excellent Art.

Utmost Respect, Richard

Fahey's impressive winner of the

Ayr Silver Cup, has been installed

5-1 favourite for Saturday's

totesport.com Challenge Cup at Ascot.

•
Neither Fallon, Fergal Lynch

nor Darren Williams, the three

jockeys facing charges of

defrauding Betfair customers, were at the

Old Bailey on Monday on the

opening day of their trial, which has

been adjourned until Wednesday.

Legal arguments are likely to

delay proceedings.