Racing by Tom O'Ryan

Royal Anthem, unbeaten in all his three races, can cope with a massive step up in class at Ascot tomorrow by clinching the prestigious £600,000 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

To bid for this showpiece event, having never previously contested a Group 1 race, is an acid-test for Royal Anthem.

In his favour is his unblemished record and the significant fact that his trainer Henry Cecil, with three 'King George' winners in the past 11 years, would not dream of running him if he did not feel he could do himself justice.

Royal Anthem has swiftly come through the ranks. Easy winner of a maiden race at Newbury on his debut in May, the son of Theatrical went on to beat Kilimanjaro in a Listed race at Newmarket before completing his hat-trick at the chief expense of that same rival in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Nap selection Royal Anthem still has something to find on the evidence of form. The big question is can he raise his game?

In opposition tomorrow is a small but very select field - last year's winner Swain, the Derby hero High-Rise, the St Leger and Coronation Cup winner Silver Patriarch, the Eclipse winner Daylami, and Romanov, winner of the Jockey Club Cup.

To lower the colours of those calibre of horses will take something special. But all the indication are that Royal Anthem is something special.

With Kieren Fallon on board he can hit the highest of notes in this fascinating feature race.

Ryedale trainer Nigel Tinkler can get in on the act on 'King George' day by winning the £20,000 Crocker Handicap with Sugarfoot.

A very creditable fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup on this course last month, Sugarfoot has since finished an excellent second to Silk St John at Newbury. His winning turn now looks nigh under John Reid.

Reid can also score on the in-form Supreme Sound (2.00) while the well-regarded Siege (5.00) is worthy of respect in an annually high-class race confined to juvenile newcomers.

The star of the show at Newcastle promises to be Diktat, who bids to extend his winning sequence to four in the £30,000 Reed Print Beeswing Stakes.

David Loder's colt, who missed the recent July Cup at Newmarket because of fast ground, looked a top-notch performer when he completed his hat-trick in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot by a decisive two lengths form Bold Edge. He will take a lot of beating.

Lady Sheriff should not be dismissed lightly from calculations in the Milligan Bakery Handicap.

Mick Easterby's mare has taken time to come to hand this season, but gave notice that her winning turn is near when finishing a close third to Afaan at Catterick last week.

A previous winner over this course and distance, Lady Sheriff is an interesting proposition.

Channel 4 cameras tomorrow will pay a rare visit to Market Rasen where Tony McCoy promises to be the man to follow.

The brilliant champion jockey has a host of fancied rides, and can score on Fabulon (2.15), Medaille Militaire (2.45), Kazawari (3.15), Daraydan (3.45) and Loveyoumillions (4.15) - all trained by the irrepressible Martin Pipe.

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