Dual Classic winner set to take her place in Saturday's Group One at Ascot
John Gosden's double Oaks heroine is the new ante-post favourite for Saturday's King George VI after it was announced the star filly would be left in at the five-day stage with a final decision on her participation made on Wednesday. News of her potential appearance lead to bookmakers slashing her odds from as big as 6/1 to a best-priced 2/1.
Last seen winning the Irish Oaks just two weeks ago, her master trainer is unfazed by the quick turnaround: "We think two weeks [from the Curragh to Ascot] will be enough as long as we are happy with her, although everything has to be confirmed with the owner. She's a progressive filly and has done nothing but improve through her races."
"She cantered this morning and seems fine in herself, and as she flew to Ireland and back she did not take that much out of herself. As the Yorkshire Oaks is that much later this year it makes sense to have a look at Ascot while she's in such good form.”
Over the last 24 hours, the three-year-old has been the clear pick of Oddschecker punters, accounting for just under 32% of bets staked.
Former favourite Highland Reel has taken a drift in the market following the recent wet weather, with ground conditions potentially softer than ideal for Aidan O'Brien's star globetrotting five-year-old. As short as 5/4 on Monday morning, the multiple Group 1 winner is now out to as big as 5/2 in places.
An outsider popular with Oddschecker punters is David Simcock's Desert Encounter. The five-year-old was last seen finishing third in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown behind Ulysses and Barney Roy and was tipped up by Oddschecker expert Andy Holding last week. Initially priced-up at 50/1, he's been the most popular pick with Oddschecker users attracting 25% of all bets placed on the race over the last seven days.
