Horse Racing: Rivals join queue to dole out challenge to Workforce

Excuses were made for Workforce after he was beaten by Aidan O'Brien's charge in the big Derby trial at York in May, with the bit going through his mouth. But it had not been plain sailing for Cape Blanco, either, as he was sore after the race.

Workforce, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, made amends in spectacular style in the Investec Derby while Cape Blanco flopped in the Prix du Jockey Club only to land the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on his latest outing.

O'Brien is looking forward to the rematch in the midsummer showpiece, sponsored by Betfair. "We've been very happy with him since the Curragh. We always thought very highly of him and the only blip on his copybook was France. We just put that down to an off-day," said the Ballydoyle handler. "The Curragh was the first time he'd run over a mile and a half and he showed all the courage and class we thought he had in the Irish Derby. He did finish sore after the Dante. He cut the back of his heel.

With stable jockey Johnny Murtagh suspended, Colm O'Donoghue comes in for the plum ride. "Cape Blanco is very uncomplicated. I can ride him anywhere I want. I'll just have to ride the race as it unfolds in front of me," he said.

Workforce, owned by Khalid Abdullah, bids to become the first Derby winner to go on to beat his elders since the O'Brien-trained Galileo in 2001. The owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: "It's going to be a really exciting day. He's had a straightforward preparation, he has worked nicely and most importantly without any interruptions. The line-up is what most neutrals would want to see for the King George."

Abdullah also runs outsider Confront as a pacemaker for his Classic hero.

The two Derby winners represent the Classic generation with the older brigade led by Workforce's stablemate, Harbinger The Dansili colt has won all his three starts and now tests the water in Group One company for the first time.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for the owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, admits he has been counting down the days and is just thrilled to be involved in such an illustrious event. "I spoke to Sir Michael on Thursday and he reports the horse to be in great form, so it's time to do battle."

You can't miss Workforce when you go down to Sir Michael's. He's such a magnificent looking, huge horse. I totally understand why Ryan (Moore, jockey) chose to ride him instead of Harbinger. It was always going to be very difficult to get off a Derby winner, especially one that won so impressively in a course-record time."But I'd like to think Ryan will be keeping a close eye on Harbinger and it's going to be an amazing day."

Mick Channon's luckless seven-year-old Youmzain has his third crack at the race having finished second to Dylan Thomas in 2007 and grabbed third behind Duke Of Marmalade a year later.

There's also some top-class action at York, with Jim Goldie saddling several with good chances, including Nanton in the Sky Bet York Stakes.

Nanton drops down in trip for the first time this season after several creditable efforts this term without success. His latest outing came in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket two weeks ago when he was sixth to Sans Frontieres over a mile and a half. That run has prompted Goldie to revert back in distance.

"Nanton has been running up to his mark and we are dropping him back in trip to see if we can squeeze a bit more out of him," said the Renfrewshire trainer. "He is in great form, he likes the track and I think the mile and two might suit him."

Goldie is keeping his fingers crossed Hawkeyethenoo can bounce back from a disappointing recent effort at Hamilton in the Sky Bet Dash, and is double-handed as he also saddles Sea Of Leaves.

In yesterday's edition of The Scotsman we printed the wrong Ascot racecard. We apologise for this error and any inconvenience caused.