Six rivals for Workforce

Sir Michael Stoute's Derby hero Workforce has frightened off all but six rivals who will challenge him in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The Impressive Epsom Classic winner will attempt to become the first three-year-old to win the prestigious race, which is sponsored by Betfair, since Alamshar in 2003.

Having smashed the course record at Epsom, Workforce has a lot to live up to on what will be just his fourth appearance, with Stoute seemingly having the race at his mercy.

The trainer also saddles Workforce's main market rival in the race in Harbinger, who will be ridden by Olivier Peslier for the first time on Saturday as Stoute's stable jockey Ryan Moore has elected to partner Workforce.

Harbinger, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, has improved immensely this season winning each of his three starts, most recently the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting.

Work

"I wasn't there when Olivier rode work on Harbinger at the weekend, but my colleague Alison Begley was and she couldn't contain her enthusiasm afterwards," said Harry Herbert, spokesman for the owners.

"There's clearly all sorts of factions in the (Stoute) yard as to whether 'Bing' as they call him will beat Workforce and we'll find out on Saturday.

"But it's not a two-horse race, there's some lovely horses in there and we'll find out on the day."

Stoute also runs Confront, who is expected to act as a pacemaker.

Among those other challengers is Aidan O'Brien's Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco, who beat Workforce comprehensively in the Dante at York in May.

Blemish

The only blemish on his record was an unplaced run in the French Derby. Colm O'Donoghue replaces the suspended Johnny Murtagh in the saddle.

Adding further strength in depth to the older-horse division is Mick Channon's perennial bridesmaid Youmzain, last seen getting pipped again in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Youmzain has twice been placed in the race, as well as famously finishing runner-up in the last three renewals of the Arc.

Just behind Youmzain in France last time was Alain de Royer-Dupre's filly Darayakana and the Hong Kong Vase winner reopposes here.

John Gosden's Dar Re Mi is another with strong claims but the three-time Group One winner needs to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Eclipse.