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Ballydoyle heavyweights Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy remain in the mix for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, with 19 horses still in the running after Tuesday's acceptance stage for the Ascot Gr. 1 race.
Last year's Derby winner, Auguste Rodin, has returned to form by winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, after two defeats since his Breeders' Cup Turf victory at Santa Anita in November. The son of Deep Impact, who finished last of ten in the King George 12 months ago after being eased down, is likely aiming for redemption on July 27.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien did not rule out City Of Troy for the King George after the Derby winner's underwhelming Coral-Eclipse victory over Al Riffa. A return to a mile and a half could benefit City Of Troy, who would not face Al Riffa again as the Joseph O'Brien-trained Sandown runner-up was among 14 horses withdrawn from the race.
George Scott's Isle Of Jura is also on track for a sixth successive win following his impressive Gr. 2 Hardwicke Stakes victory over the same course and distance last month.
While O'Brien has withdrawn Diego Velazquez along with stablemates Queenstown and Agenda, Irish Derby winner Los Angeles, Coronation Cup scorer Luxembourg, Continuous, Hans Andersen, Point Lonsdale, and Tower Of London all remain in contention for Ballydoyle.
Irish Derby runner-up Sunway, along with third-placed Ambiente Friendly, might look to reverse the form against Los Angeles in their upcoming clash.
Passenger, who has not raced since his Gr. 2 Huxley Stakes victory at Chester in May, will again miss this potential engagement. William Haggas has withdrawn Desert Hero but could still be represented by his globetrotting Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner, Dubai Honour.
Trawlerman will not seek revenge for his Ascot Gold Cup defeat to Kyprios at Glorious Goodwood, as the 6YO has been withdrawn from the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup by John and Thady Gosden.
Trawlerman, who narrowly defeated Kyprios by a neck in the British Champions Long Distance Cup last October, was edged out by the same rival at last month’s royal meeting.
Kyprios remains on course to reclaim the title he won in 2022, with 19 horses still in contention for the Gr.1 race that will headline the opening day of Goodwood’s five-day festival.
The Gosdens have decided to withdraw the Cheveley Park Stud pair of Inspiral and Audience from the Qatar Sussex Stakes.
While Inspiral still has the option of the ten-furlong Qatar Nassau Stakes, Audience will notably miss the Sussex Stakes, joined by Queen Anne Stakes winner Charyn as a notable absentee.
Roger Varian’s progressive grey suffered his only defeat of the season when finishing behind Audience in the Lockinge Stakes but achieved a first Gr. 1 victory in his most recent outing.
Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner Rosallion remains among the 18 contenders for the Sussex Stakes, alongside 2,000 Guineas victor Notable Speech.
Also still in the mix are St James’s Palace runner-up Henry Longfellow and Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan.