Godolphin in big race warning

13 April 2012

Broche, rather than Give The Slip, could yet play pacemaker to Fantastic Light in this Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, owners Godolphin warned today.

Racing manager for Godolphin, Simon Crisford, said no decision had been made on which horse jockey Daragh O'Donohoe will partner to set the strong pace that first string Fantastic Light needs for his epic Ascot clash with Coolmore's dual Derby hero, Galileo.

"We're giving them both time to see which is in better shape for Saturday," Crisford said. "It was always the intention to run Give The Slip and it probably will be him. But if Broche is declared instead tomorrow, it would be because he's in better form."

A final decision on stablemate and Coronation Cup winner, Mutafaweq, will also be made at tomorrow's declaration stage, but he is not expected to take part in the race.

Meanwhile, two key King George entries were today confirmed runners to help ensure the £750,000 event is not just a twohorse race. Mutamam, trained by Alec Stewart, and Morshdi, stabled nearby in Newmarket with Michael Jarvis, have been given the go-ahead by their respective owners.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum will be represented by 25-1 shot Mutamam, who returned from sickness with a hard-fought victory in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket's July Meeting just 15 days ago.

"His owner feels the horse should take this opportunity as he's a six-year-old and in good form. There are no other alternatives over a mile-and-a-half for some time in England." said Stewart.

"I am aware of what the Americans call the 'bounce' factor - that a horse returning from a long lay-off sometimes can't produce his comeback form next time out. But Mutamam shows all the outward signs of having recovered from his exertions - he looks, works and eats well. I wouldn't run him for the sake of it."

Morshdi, a staying-on four lengths second to Galileo in the Irish Derby last time out, also runs. "Sheikh Ahmed feels the horse is in top form and the ground is suitable," said Jarvis. "He wants to have a crack."

The colt trades at 20-1, but is also ante-post favourite for the Rothmans Royals St Leger. Yet Jarvis is not entirely convinced that the step up to 1m6f would suit any better than Saturday's trip.

"On pedigree, Morshdi should get the St Leger trip, but we have other options. We know Ascot will suit him ideally, with its stiff finish. He's a progressive sort and I'm hoping he'll get a lot closer to Galileo," he said. With no prospect of significant rain at Ascot, stablemate Holding Court misses the King George and heads to Newbury's Geoffrey Freer Stakes on 18 August.

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