Britain's joint-richest race set to be run without a sponsor with Ascot ruling out a 'partial or compromised deal'

Britain's joint-richest race looks like being run without a sponsor this year with Ascot yet to find a backer for the £1.5 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The Qatar Investment and Project Development Holding Company (Qipco) announced before last year's race it would bring to an end an 11-year partnership, with Ascot stating at the time "with the King George in such a good place, we've got a good year to sort a new sponsor".

That has proved harder than hoped with Ascot insistent on finding the right partner for the race on July 26 and unwilling to do what it referred to as a "compromised deal".