Holland keen on Falbrav's chances

Darryll Holland has expressed his utmost confidence in Falbrav ahead of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Holland rode the five-year-old to victory when teaming up with him for the first time in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown earlier this month, and put him through his paces on Wednesday.

He said: “As far as I am concerned, it is simple – if the horse stays, he will win. He showed a great cruising speed at Sandown and really quickened up well. He is a class act and it is an honour to ride him.

“We had a good draw at Sandown so now we are just hoping the gods look down favourably on us again.”

Luca Cumani gave Falbrav the nod for the £750,000 (€1.05m) contest only after Wednesday’s workout.

Explaining the reason for the delay, the Newmarket-based trainer said: “We wanted to go as close as possible before making a decision to check on the horse’s well-being.

“We are satisfied that he has recovered very well from the Eclipse and that he is in excellent form.”

Nayef thrilled his trainer Marcus Tregoning in a racecourse gallop on Lingfield’s all-weather surface on Wednesday as the five-year-old completed his preparation for the King George.

Tregoning worked Nayef with Izdiham, who will act as his pacemaker in the big race.

Izdiham made it a proper test for Nayef but the latter came away powerfully at the end under his big-race jockey Richard Hills.

Reporting Nayef to be spot on after inspecting him at evening stables, Tregoning said: “I was delighted with Nayef and he seems to be in great form.

“When I looked over him in his box he was a joy to behold and is all set for the King George.”