Mishriff Set for Star-Studded King George

Globetrotter Mishriff  is to have just his second outing over a mile and a half in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) at Ascot July 24 after connections decided against an alternative option at York on the same day.

The 4-year-old was in need of his first outing since March when third in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) at Sandown this month and features among nine star-studded confirmations for the weekend's showpiece event.

Mishriff, a 15-2 chance with Coral to land his first domestic group 1, had previously racked up lucrative victories in the Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (G1) at the beginning of the year, the last-named over a mile and a half.

Connections had also been considering keeping the son of Make Believe  to a mile and a quarter and tackling the Sky Bet York Stakes (G2) at York, but have decided the prospect of giving a stone away to 3-year-olds on the Knavesmire is a stiff challenge.

After watching Mishriff canter on Warren Hill Monday morning, joint-trainer John Gosden said: "All being well, Mishriff is to run in the King George rather than York where we thought the prospect of carrying a group 1 penalty was a stiff ask.

"It looks a good renewal of the Ascot race with the top older horses in there as well as the Derby winner (Adayar ), it should make for a fascinating feature."

The King George has gone the way of Clarehaven Stables five times in the past decade, most recently when Enable  registered a record third triumph a year ago.

Mishriff could face eight rivals in what is gearing up to be a high-class clash of the generations, with last year's QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) and Investec Oaks (G1) winner Love —successful in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at the royal meeting last month—and Cazoo Derby (G1) hero Adayar among the final confirmations.

Love's trainer Aidan O'Brien could also be represented by Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) winner Broome , Mogul , and Japan , while Hardwicke Stakes (G2) heroine Wonderful Tonight  and Addeybb  are also in contention.

Love heads the betting with Coral at 6-4 ahead of Adayar at 15-8, with Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) second Lone Eagle —who is set to be ridden by Frankie Dettori—a 9-2 chance ahead of Mishriff.

The ground at Ascot on Monday was good to firm, good in places, with watering taking place. Dry and warm weather is forecast until Friday evening when thunderstorms could arrive.