Harbinger

An announcement on who rides Harbinger in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes could be made this week.

Speculation has been rife on who will team up with the in-form Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old in the Betfair-sponsored showpiece at Ascot on July 24.

Frankie Dettori and Paul Hanagan are among the names being linked with Harbinger after his regular partner Ryan Moore decided to stick with stablemate Workforce following their triumph in the Investec Derby.

Harbinger is unbeaten in three starts this term, culminating in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"We're still waiting to hear on jockey booking confirmations and all that," said Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

"It doesn't look as though there will be too big a field in the race so it's just a question of seeing who is doing what, and we are in Sir Michael's hands on that one.

"He's just waiting to hear. We have had conversations, but I can't talk about that until we've had confirmation.

"I guess it wouldn't take a genius to know what the short-list would be. It's just waiting for the cards to fall and for trainers with other runners in the race knowing what they are going to do. Hopefully, something will be forthcoming this week."

He went on: "He's such a special horse, he's such a beautiful-looking horse with a great temperament. We've seen this year he has a lovely cruising speed and then a tremendous turn of foot to quicken off that pace.

"This is what it's all about from my side of things. It's a big syndicate manager's dream to have a horse like Harbinger, who will hopefully be lining up for Europe's greatest midsummer spectacle."