Golden Horn a non runner in King George at Ascot

Golden Horn will not run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this afternoon, said trainer John Gosden.

There had been a question mark over his participation in the great race after a deluge of rainfall on Friday.

And after having walked the track before the meeting was due to begin, Gosden felt conditions had gone against the Derby and Coral-Eclipse hero.

The Clarehaven handler said: “Where we are standing on the straight course, this ground is fine, and will ride good to soft.

“But where they are running over a mile and a half, it runs down into Swinley Bottom — and it’s not called that for nothing.

“On that part of the course, my stick was going in 10 or 12 inches and it’s holding ground there.

“He’s a horse with an enormous amount of speed and is an incredible athlete.

“You’re asking him to be nearly a St Leger horse to go on that (ground) today.”

Golden Horn is now likely to run in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 19.

Gosden said: “It does not make sense bottoming him out in ground like that and stretching his stamina.

“We are frustrated, but I have left it as late as I can.

“It would be wrong to ask this sort of question in the middle of the season — if it was his last run it would be a different matter.

“We would look towards York as he is full of himself and ready to go.

“I think we will go there and take it from there.”