Fabre seeking second King George triumph with Waldgeist

There has not been a European-trained winner of the King George since Novellist in 2013, but Andre Fabre is coveting a second victory in the race having previously won it in 2006 with Hurricane Run.

Third behind Crystal Ocean at Royal Ascot last time, Waldgeist has taken on favourite Enable previously, having finished fourth to her in last year's Arc and then fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

While those efforts arguably leave Waldgeist with a bit to find to turn the tables, Fabre thinks his runner can be in the shake-up, with quicker ground a plus.

He said: "He's not the favourite for the race, but he's going to run well because he doesn’t know how to run badly. He's always very competitive in this type of company, so we'll take our chance."

Cheval victory would be grand for Japan

It may not be the Arc, a race that consumes the Japanese racing psyche, but should Cheval Grand triumph it would still register as a major triumph.

The 2017 Japan Cup winner, Cheval Grand will be having a first start in Europe, but travelled well earlier in the year when runner-up to Old Persian in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.

Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi will rely on local knowledge with Oisin Murphy booked, and said: "I think it is most important for him and the jockey to get into a good rhythm after leaving the gate, rather than find a particular position.

"The jockey knows Ascot very well, he has watched a lot of video of Cheval Grand's races and has researched his race plan. He has ridden Cheval Grand twice in Newmarket, so I am happy to leave the race strategy to the jockey."

Balding hoping rain falls to aid Morando

Testing conditions at Chester's May meeting helped Morando to a wide-length victory over Kew Gardens in the Ormonde Stakes, and trainer Andrew Balding is keen for plenty of rain to hit Ascot.

Following that victory Morando has finished behind Defoe in the Coronation Cup and Hardwicke Stakes, and Balding said: "I'm hoping they get the top end of the rain they are forecast because the ground is important with him. So we will wait and see if they get sufficient rain.

Morando: fully effective on slow groundCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"He is obviously a very unlikely winner, but it's a chance to pick up some good prize-money if the ground is wet."

Completing the field of 11 is Salouen, who like Morando has chased home Defoe on his previous two starts. Sylvester Kirk's stable star has run several huge races in defeat in Group 1 level, notably when just touched off by Cracksman in last year's Coronation Cup.

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