Hawkbill and Dartmouth could still challenge Postponed at Ascot

Punters will finally know the size of the challenge facing King George hotpot Postponed today, with connections of two potential big rivals last night still contemplating whether to spend £75,000 to have a crack at the Ascot feature on Saturday.

Money is not the issue for the owners of Hawkbill and Dartmouth –Sheikh Mohammed and the Queen - it is more a question of whether the Coral-Eclipse and Hardwicke winners have realistic prospects of beating Postponed, whose current five-race winning streak began in last year's Qipco-backed King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

While Postponed yesterday hardened as market leader, with several firms going 1-2 (from 4-7), a lack of strength and depth to the field could yet tempt those involved with Hawkbill and Dartmouth to supplement their improving colts.