DUBAI // Champion jockey Ryan Moore faces the sweet agony of choosing which of two big race favourites he should ride in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in four days' time. At the declaration stage yesterday, Sir Michael Stoute, who retains Moore's services, was saddling three in England's midsummer racing highlight at Ascot, which will be run without this season's super horse, Sea the Stars.
Coral Eclipse - third to Sea the Stars and 2008 St Leger victor Conduit - is the favourite, but Sir Michael's Tartan Bearer, second in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot, will also be a tempting prospect to Moore. Mick Kinane, who rode Sea the Stars to triple Classic glory, will ride whichever horse Moore turns down and top French jockey, Olivier Peslier, will take the third ride. If Moore goes with Conduit as expected, he will take part in ano-ther head-to-head with Luca Cumani's Cima de Triomphe. The son of Galileo got the better of Conduit by a nose in the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes in May before finishing behind Sir Michael's charge in the Coral Eclipse.
Sir Michael also saddles Ask, winner of the Epsom's Investec Coronation Cup. Look Here, winner of the 2008 Epsom Oaks, is again pitted against the boys in the 1 mile 4 furlong contest. The plucky Ralph Beckett-trained filly was third in three Group One outings - the 2008 St Leger, the Epsom Coronation Cup and the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. Aidan O'Brien looks likely to saddle Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby second, Golden Sword.
The line-up has received a blow with news that Youmzain, prepared by Mick Channon and dubbed the 'unluckiest horse in training' after finishing runner-up in three Group Ones, will miss the King George with a swollen fetlock. @Email:stregoning@thenational.ae