Danedream wins King George

Sunday, 22 July 2012: German filly Danedream, who won the Arc in 2011 on a lightning fast track, proved she is a filly for all seasons with a sensational win in the King George at Ascot on Saturday.

Danedream and Andrasch Starke Arc Day Photo by Whistlejacket

UK

We admit we had more or less ruled her out as it had seemed she was a horse who wanted fast going, but she performed brilliantly as did Nathaniel in one of the great finishes in racing. It was one of those races where a dead heat would have been a happy result but as it was the filly just got her nose in front and with it the G1. She will be defending her Arc title again this year and also the GP at Baden for her home fans. Nathaniel is also scheduled to go to the Arc, and John Gosden was heard to remark that he would be happy if Danedream headed off now to the breeding barn.

St Nicholas Abbey got the third, coming from a long way back, with Reliable Man not disgraced in fourth. Sea Moon went off favourite but was disappointing. Dunaden was up in front without cover and raced very keenly and could well now be thinking about a Melbourne Cup defence. Japanese runner Deep Brillante was never in the mix - it was a very tough ask for a three year old to travel and race in very strange environment and compete with older horses, but if he pulls up well there could be another couple of races for him in England or Europe this season.

Earlier The Queen's Carlton House ran a shocker - even his owner's presence couldn't persuade him to put in a good one and he had to settle in a dead heat for fourth with the victory going to Fanunulter, 33/1 who finished a neck in front of Pastoral Player with Tullius third. Cai Shen was the dead-heater with Carlton House.