KING OF KINGS has been all the rage in betting on next year's Pertemps 2,000 Guineas ever since his winning debut at the Curragh last Sunday. And Ladbrokes reported further strong support yesterday for the Aidan Brien-trained colt who is set to run next at the Curragh on Derby day.

"Support for King Of Kings has been completely unprecedented," Ladbrokes spokesman Ian Wassell said. "Ever since Sunday we have been amazed by the level of interest in the horse and that has again been the case today, as we have taken a £10,000 bet at 8 to 1. We have now cut the horse to 7 to 1."

There were three British challengers among a total of 14 horses who stood their ground for Sunday's Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) yesterday. The trio are Peter Chapple-Hyam's Voyagers Quest and the John Gosden pair Perfect Paradigm (Frankie Dettori) and Conon Falls (a doubtful runner).

No more than six horses are likely to try to thwart Silver Charm's US triple crown bid in the Belmont Stakes in New York on Saturday week. Silver Charm will again cross swords with Free House and Touch Gold, who were second and fourth respectively behind him in the Preakness.

Michael Stoute had the bookmakers running for cover again yesterday when weights were published for the Royal Hunt Cup. The trainer's Insatiable and Gold Spats, who have both landed gambles recently, were made 12 to 1 and 14 to 1 respectively by William Hill in their opening book on one of the biggest betting races at Royal Ascot.