Desert Crown (GB) is set to return from his latest injury setback in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. as last year's Derby winner is one of 15 runners still in contention for the £1.25 million Ascot contest.
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the son of Nathaniel (Ire) stormed to Classic glory at Epsom in 2022 before spending almost a year on the sidelines before making his return in the Brigadier Gerard in May where he finished second to Owen Burrows' reopposing Hukum.
A further setback ruled him out of an intended Royal Ascot engagement but after working well on the Limekilns gallop at Newmarket on Sunday morning, Desert Crown is now on course for a belated appearance at the Berkshire track in search of one of the season's most prestigious prizes.
“He's going OK. He worked yesterday morning and he worked nicely,” said Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail.
“He doesn't do a lot now, but everyone was very pleased. It was good to see him on the grass.”
There could be a rematch between Aidan O'Brien's Derby winner Auguste Rodin and the Epsom runner-up King Of Steel at Ascot. Auguste Rodin, who followed up in the Irish equivalent, is one of six in the mix for Aidan O'Brien, who could also be represented by Luxembourg, Point Lonsdale, Adelaide River, Broome and Bolshoi Ballet.
Defending champion Pyledriver will bid to enhance his fine Ascot record having landed the Hardwicke S. following almost a year off the track during the royal meeting, while John and Thady Gosden's Eclipse runner-up and Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn adds further spice to a race which looks like being a high-class renewal.
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