Varian hopeful of another bold show from cool character Defoe at Ascot

Defoe will need another career-best performance to topple supermare Enable in Saturday’s Group 1 Qipco King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, but is in tip-top condition ahead of the midsummer showpiece.

That’s the view of the five-year-old’s trainer Roger Varian, who has been thrilled with the Coronation Cup winner’s preparation since his Royal Ascot success in the Hardwicke Stakes.

"Defoe looks in good form and I’m very pleased with him," Varian said. "The King George is a very hot race, but Defoe has probably put up two career-bests already this season.

"He’ll need to take another jump up and find a few more pounds, but he’s an uncomplicated horse and in great form.

"He has the most wonderful attitude for the big occasions – he’s a very cool character and won’t turn a hair even if the weather is very hot."

Defoe and Andrea Atzeni before their exercise

Defoe, who beat Nagano Gold by half a length at the royal meeting last month, currently has an official BHA rating of 119, which is inferior to Crystal Ocean (127), Enable (125) and Waldgeist (122).

Varian added: "It’s a tough race, but one that we’re excited to be involved in. Enable and Crystal Ocean head the betting, but there’s also a Derby winner there in Anthony Van Dyck, while I think Waldgeist is also a bit under the radar.

"I watched him win the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in April on fast ground and he’s a good horse given those conditions.”

Varian trained 2015 King George hero Postponed to win three consecutive Group 1s, including the Coronation Cup, during the latter stages of his career, and can see similarities with Defoe.

"I think Postponed had a bit more natural class," Varian said. "He got up to 124 on ratings, while Defoe is currently 119.

"Defoe is a very solid horse, though, and he can quicken at the end of his races, which he showed at Ascot in the Hardwicke. We’re all looking forward to running him on Saturday."

Defoe is generally a 12-1 chance to clinch the King George, while favourite Enable attracted support on Wednesday, shortening to 4-7 (from 4-6) with most bookmakers.

Waldgeist: represents Andre Fabre in the King GeorgeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Three-time Group 1 winner Waldgeist, who is a top priced 20-1 for Saturday's showpiece, bids to give Andre Fabre a second King George success, 13 years after Hurricane Run beat Electrocutionist by half a length.

Fabre said: "He’s not the favourite for the race, but he’s going to run well because he doesn’t know how to run bad.

"The ground slowed him down at Ascot [when third to Crystal Ocean in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes], but he finished well and he is always very competitive in this type of company, so we’ll take our chance.

"I would be happy to be third, but we don’t know how the race will work out so we will try our hardest."

On the possibility of a hot afternoon at Ascot, Fabre added: "Trust me, it cannot be hotter at Ascot than it has been in France. The conditions will be the same for everyone so we are not worried."

Seamie Heffernan riding Anthony Van Dyck win the DerbyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck could be joined by as many as three stablemates on Saturday.

His trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Anthony Van Dyck is in good form. We've been happy with him since his run in the Irish Derby.

"It's possible that we will also declare Hunting Horn, Norway and Magic Wand, although we won't decide until early in the morning."

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