- More
'He'll take them to places they've never been before' - PJ McDonald bullish about Pyledriver's repeat King George bid
PJ McDonald is revelling in Pyledriver's underdog status and believes a formidable Ascot record sets him apart from his high-class rivals as he bids for back-to-back wins in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes on Saturday.
Only three horses – Dahlia, Swain and three-time heroine Enable – have been victorious in successive runnings of Britain's Flat summer showpiece, and joint-trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick hope Pyledriver can join that elite trio.
Pyledriver is set to be the highest-rated runner in the 1m4f Group 1, with an official mark of 124, and arrives in form after winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot following a 336-day absence. But he is a top-priced 7-1 chance in the market as Hukum and top-class three-year-olds Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel battle for favouritism.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inBritain
Last updated
- 'We're all very happy and it's the way we're going to go' - Nicky Henderson confirms Sir Gino's Fighting Fifth bid
- 'I'm truly grateful for having him' - Sam Thomas hails Al Dancer as popular grey is retired
- Exeter called off despite passing morning inspection after Storm Bert causes safety hazard
- Constitution Hill lameness could clear up in 'three weeks or three days' says Nicky Henderson after receiving scan results
- From the highest of Champion Hurdle highs to gallops disasters: what next in the saga of Constitution Hill?
- 'We're all very happy and it's the way we're going to go' - Nicky Henderson confirms Sir Gino's Fighting Fifth bid
- 'I'm truly grateful for having him' - Sam Thomas hails Al Dancer as popular grey is retired
- Exeter called off despite passing morning inspection after Storm Bert causes safety hazard
- Constitution Hill lameness could clear up in 'three weeks or three days' says Nicky Henderson after receiving scan results
- From the highest of Champion Hurdle highs to gallops disasters: what next in the saga of Constitution Hill?