THE £1 million Group One King George V1 & Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes centre stage at Ascot this afternoon.

First run in 1951 and won by many of the greatest horses to have graced the turf in the post-war period, a small but select field go to post for the contest, headed by the favourite Conduit, one of three runners from the powerful Sir Michael Stoute yard.

Stable jockey Ryan Moore faced a choice of which horse to ride with his Newmarket boss also running the second favourite Tartan Bearer and also Ask, the latter in with a good shout should the going become pretty soft.

Moore plumped for Conduit with Tartan Bearer having an able substitute in top Irish jockey Mick Kinane.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won the valuable prize on three previous occasions with Shergar, Opera House and Golan and said of this year’s horses: “They are two similar horses. This is a big midsummer race and I have felt there was always going to be a clash providing they were both in good shape.’’ Top French jockey Olivier Peslier will ride Ask.

It’s unusual for any Aidan O’Brien runners not to figure at the head of the betting in a Group 1 event but Golden Sword, the probable mount of Johnny Murtagh has seen plenty of interest at 11/2 with Rockhampton also going to post.

Last year’s Oaks winner Look Here will be ridden by former champion jockey Seb Sanders.

Having sided with Tartan Bearer a couple of times this season the column is hoping it’s third time lucky and is the selection.

The BBC will televise four races beginning with Group 3 Princess Margaret Diamond Stakes for two year old fillies, run over six furlongs.

Wiltshire trainer Richard Hannon has a couple of top fillies in the race with Deal and Full Mandate, the latter being the selection, ridden by Richard Hughes.

Top weight Sri Putra, trained by Michael Jarvis and ridden by Philip Robinson looks good for the one-mile Emirates NDB Cup, a Heritage Handicap.

Beckhampton trainer Roger Charlton, who chalked up an across the card double in the week with Broad Cairn and Souter Point, attempts to win the Abu Dhabi International Stakes with Genki.

Other meetings are at Newmarket, York and Lingfield with evening cards at Lingfield and Salisbury.