Dylan Thomas eases to King George win

Dylan Thomas cast aside pre-race concerns over the going to stamp his class on the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Partnered by Johnny Murtagh, the Aidan O'Brien-trained 5-4 favourite cruised upsides Maraahel at the two-furlong marker and found a superb turn of foot to shoot clear of the chasing pack.

He passed the post with four lengths in hand of 12-1 chance Youmzain, who in turn had Maraahel three and a half lengths further away in third.

O'Brien's other runner Scorpion soon shot into an early lead in the 12-furlong showpiece and set a very sound gallop under Mick Kinane.

But the writing was on the wall for the 2005 St Leger hero soon after he swung into the home straight, as Richard Hills cruised past aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Maraahel.

Murtagh always had the move covered aboard Dylan Thomas, however, and kicked the son of Danehill into a definite lead before the final furlong loomed.

Once he had gained the initiative, the four-year-old kept finding and powered away to record a most impressive success.

Mick Channon's Youmzain had been asked for his effort on turning in and responded well to chase the winner all the way to the line without ever seriously threatening to get in a decisive blow.

O'Brien said: 'We've always thought he was a serious horse. He wants a fast-run mile and a quarter or mile and a half, and he's such a brilliant mover that there is no doubt he prefers faster ground.

'Mick (Kinane) said he was happy to go on if nothing else did as Scorpion does stay. Dylan Thomas likes to be dropped in and take his time, so the race worked out perfectly.

'All options are open to him and we'll consider all the big races over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.'

Joint-owner Michael Tabor said: 'We thought the ground wasn't too bad at the end of the day, and we fancied his chances very much. He showed what a good horse he is. He won very comfortably in the end.

'You can always compare and say the race isn't quite as good as previous years and that it's a shame the Derby winner (Authorized) isn't here, but he ran in the Eclipse and that was their choice.

'You can only beat what you are up against, and while maybe it wasn't quite as good as one or two previous years, it was still a very good race in my opinion and we are happy to have won,' he told BBC Sport.

Channon was delighted with Youmzain's effort and said: 'He's run some terrific races now and he will go for the Arc as far as I'm concerned.

'He's got the world in front of him and we can also think about Hong Kong and the Breeders' Cup.'

Angus Gold, racing manager for the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned Maraahel, said: 'He tried his heart out and you couldn't ask for more from him.

'We can drop him back to a mile and a quarter if we want and we would like to win a Group One somewhere with him, but we might have to travel abroad for it.'

The Godolphin operation boast a tremendous record in the race but had to settle for fourth with their sole runner Laverock this time.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor was far from downcast, saying: 'He
ran very well. It was a nice result, but with softish ground he would find a bit more.

'There are no plans, but there are Group races abroad for him.'