Kin ready to bid for famous double

Vodafone Derby winner Kris Kin is on course for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

In the last 10 years only Lammtarra in 1995 and Galileo in 2001 have followed up their victories at Epsom with success in the midsummer highlight and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Kris Kin is currently priced at around 5-1 to achieve the feat.

Joe Mercer, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, said today: “As far as I know all is well – he’s fine.

“He did a bit of work yesterday morning. Michael just worked him at about 6.30 on the watered gallop and everything is on line for the King George.”

Kris Kin was not added to the field for the Budweiser Irish Derby at the end of June because connections feared the ground at the Curragh would have been too firm for the colt.

However, Mercer is confident conditions will be suitable for the chestnut to take his chance at Ascot.

He said: “A drop of rain would help but I’m certain they’ll put some water on it. It’ll be decent ground and it won’t be a problem.”

Clerk of the course Nick Cheyne said that watering is due to start at Ascot tomorrow.

He said: “It’s been dry over the weekend so far.

“The ground is good to firm, good in places and we are going to put some water on tomorrow.

“The forecast is for some showers around so obviously we’ll monitor that at the same time.

“We had rain last Wednesday and Thursday but it has been dry since so we’ll put some more water on.

“The forecast is unsettled with maybe a bit more rain on Thursday.”