Romsdal Trying To Be King At Ascot

Time/Date - 15.50hrs local time/Saturday, July 25, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Ascot/UK
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 4f

Romsdal makes a second appearance in the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) at Ascot, UK, on Saturday, July 25.

The four-year-colt, trained by John Gosden and ridden by William Buick, came home seventh in the 12-furlong midsummer highlight last year.

He returns to Ascot after finishing fourth to Snow Sky in the Group Two Betway Yorkshire Cup over a mile and three quarters on good to firm ground at York on May 15.

Romsdal was third to Arab Spring and subsequent Group One winner Pether's Moon in the 12-furlong Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury on April 18 and started his year with an easy win in a Polytrack Listed race over 10 furlongs at Kempton Park on March 28.

The son of Halling ran superb races in two British Classics last year, taking second in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster and coming home third in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs.

He takes on nine rivals including the unbeaten Golden Horn, who was an impressive winner of this year's Investec Derby and Coral-Eclipse, dual Group One scorer Flintshire plus Snow Sky and Eagle Top, who were first and second in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

John Gosden commented: "Romsdal is in good form and the forecast of rain is in his favour."

William Buick added: "Romsdal is a very good horse in his own right but looks to be up against it in this company. Golden Horn obviously is the one we all have to beat but Eagle Top and Snow Sky are also high-class horses.

"My horse needs rain but he stays well and always gives his running so I'm looking forward to the ride."

Godolphin has won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Lammtarra (1995), Swain (1997 & 1998), Daylami (1999) and Doyen (2004).