O'Brien confirms Idaho will take on stablemate Highland Reel

For five-year-old Highland Reel it was the Prince of Wales's Stakes, while four-year-old Idaho triumphed in the Hardwicke.

The Qipco-backed King George was always the next intended target for Highland Reel, but Idaho's participation was firmed up only on Sunday, when O'Brien said: "The plan is to run both Highland Reel and Idaho.

"They both came out of Ascot well and we're happy with them. They'll have bits to do over the next few days and, once all goes well, the two of them will run."

Idaho, pictured winning the Hardwicke Stakes, will bid for a first Group 1 in the King GeorgeCredit: Caroline Norris

O'Brien continued: "We have a few others entered and I'm not sure whether any will run, but Highland Reel and Idaho will be our main runners."

Ante-post favourite Highland Reel on Sunday drifted to 6-4 (from 11-8) to successfully defend his King George crown, while Idaho can be backed at 6-1, although Ladbrokes (9-2 from 6), Coral (5-1 from 6) and Betway (4-1 from 5) all reported support for him.

Betway odds compiler Michael Wilesmith said: "We've seen good support for Idaho over the last week or so, and had little interest in Highland Reel. We’re keeping on the right side of Idaho."

The brothers are by Galileo out of Hveger, and while Idaho does not yet have a Group 1 win to his name – Highland Reel has six – he may well have been a Classic winner but for stumbling and unseating his rider in the St Leger.

Brothers' tale of the tape

Highland Reel
Age: 5
Starts: 23
Wins: nine
Group 1 wins: six
Countries raced in: seven
Total prize-money: £5,974,719

Idaho
Age: 4
Starts: 11
Wins: three
Group 1 wins: zero
Countries raced in: four
Total prize-money: £656,834

Ulysses continuing Group 1 odyssey

While a win for either sibling would be a fifth in the King George for O'Brien, if Sir Michael Stoute triumphs he would become the race's winningmost trainer with six.

Leading his challenge is Ulysses, who would be the first Coral-Eclipse winner since Opera House in 1993 – also trained by Stoute – to complete that big-race double

Ulysses comes into the race after claiming his maiden Group 1 success in thrilling fashion when defeating Barney Roy by a nose at Sandown, and, providing the ground is suitable, will head to Ascot.

A best-priced 7-1 chance, Ulysses impressed when working in Newmarket on Saturday, and Alan Cooper, racing manager for owners the Niarchos family, said on Sunday: "He'll be confirmed tomorrow at the forfeit stage and pleased Sir Michael and [work-rider] Kevin Bradshaw on Saturday.

"We've just got to keep an eye on the weather as we don't want the ground to be soft. But the plan is to run."

Ulysses: heading to the King George, weather permittingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ulysses had built a strong profile before his breakout success at Sandown and, bar his Derby flop last season, is yet to finish out of the first four in Group company.

The King George requires him to step back up to a mile and a half, but Cooper added: "He came out of Sandown very well and is a horse who's grown up with his racing. Sir Michael is not worried about ten or 12 furlongs, Ulysses seems to be versatile on that front."

Looking beyond the summer, a trip abroad could beckon for Ulysses in the autumn, with the Arc and Breeders' Cup Turf under consideration.

A win in Saturday's race would give the four-year-old an automatic place in the field for the Turf at Del Mar in November. Last season Ulysses was fourth in the same race at Santa Anita behind Highland Reel.

"He has an entry for the Arc and we're also having a close look at the Breeders' Cup Turf," continued Cooper. "When you're a Group 1 winner the programme is fairly well laid-out."

The participation of dual Oaks winner Enable is uncertain, but while her connections could not be reached on Sunday, bookmakers were taking no chances. Those quoting her went 2-1 (from 4).

A weekend of heavy rain has left the ground soft at Ascot.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "It's forecast to be largely dry for Monday and Tuesday, then there's the risk of a few showers on Wednesday. Then it's a bit unsettled towards the end of the week, but it's supposed to be largely dry with a few showers.

"We're unlikely to have fast ground now for Saturday, but if we didn't get too much rain on Wednesday we'd expect good ground. It just depends."