'Duke' to kick it off for O'Brien

RACING NEWS ROUND-UPDUKE OF MARMALADE is an odds-on favourite to secure Aidan O'Brien a third victory in Saturday's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and kick-off another remarkable Group One weekend for the champion trainer.

Despite the King George being Duke Of Marmalade's first attempt at a mile and a half he is a general 4 to 6 favourite to score a fourth top-flight success of the season and continue O'Brien's Group 1 hot-streak.

Moonstone's Irish Oaks success provided him with a 13th top-flight victory in an already vintage season that includes a Group One hat-trick at the Curragh during May's Guineas weekend.

O'Brien first won the King George with Galileo in 2001 and Dylan Thomas was a wide-margin winner over Youmzain last year. Mick Channon's horse, winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time, is rated Duke Of Marmalade's biggest danger in five days' time.

The Ascot going is currently described as good and good to firm in places.

Saoirse Abu's shock defeat of Henrythenavigator on heavy ground last year was a rare setback for O'Brien in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes but he could be multiply represented in an attempt to renew Ballydoyle dominance in Europe's first Group One of the year for juveniles at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Railway Stakes winner Mastercraftsman remains an entry for the six-furlong event but O'Brien has already indicated the colt may be stepped up to seven furlongs for his next start. Prior to Saoirse Abu, O'Brien won eight of the previous nine editions of the race.

One intended starter is the Coventry winner Art Connoisseur, who Michael Bell hopes will become a first Phoenix Stakes winner trained in Britain since Mark Johnston's Princely Heir in 1997.

Another likely runner is Kevin Prendergast's unbeaten filly Shimah, who landed a Listed race over the course and distance during Derby weekend.

This evening's Ballinrobe card looks like being a productive one for the champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins, who runs Clear Gold under Ruby Walsh in the handicap chase.

The 10-year-old is on a hat-trick after winning over tonight's course and distance in May and following up at Killarney when beating Tarn Ridge. He's over a stone higher in the ratings than when last visiting the Mayo track but still looks on the upgrade.

Mullins also runs Otay Kawn under his champion amateur son Patrick in the bumper and although this one hasn't run since finishing third on his debut at Thurles last January he is sure to be fit enough for his reappearance.

Ruby Walsh teams up with Holly Tree in the Beginners Chase but may find Killenaule Boy too good after a fine reappearance behind Frontier Lady at Limerick.

Harry Rogers' Confirm showed a return to form at Fairyhouse last week when fourth to Hotspur and can score under the former Phoenix Stakes winning rider Colm O'Donoghue in the first nine-furlong handicap.