King George stakes upped as 18 enter

Far from scaring off the opposition, dual Derby winner Galileo could face the largest number of rivals assembled for Ascot's King George VI and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes for almost 50 years this Saturday.

Eighteen horses were today confirmed for the £750,000 event, including the Aidan O'Brien trained Galileo and Godolphin's Fantastic Light.

Not since the Queen's Aureole beat 16 horses in 1954 can such a large field be recorded for this Group One event.

The inaugural running attracted 19 starters in 1951, but the most recent high came in 1978 when Ile De Bourbon came out best of 14 runners.

Yet the weather may change things. Ascot's clerk of the course Nick Cheyne predicts good-to-firm ground and plans to start watering the track tomorrow. If the going were to remain that fast, Holding Court - confirmed by Newmarket handler Michael Jarvis along with stablemate Morshdi - would miss the race.

More notably, Golden Snake - one of two runners from Arundel trainer John Dunlop - could also be doubtful if the ground is too firm.