Delzangles: Dun has the speed

Mikel Delzangles says Dunaden has the speed to compete in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Betfair) at Ascot on Saturday.

The six-year-old endured a a nightmare trip in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting, losing ground on the home turn before being stopped in his run in the straight on his way to finishing a three-and-a-quarter length second to Sea Moon.

However, the Gouvieux handler is taking the positives from that run, especially the way he finished once in the clear.

"I'm glad he had some track experience in the Hardwicke," Delzangles told sportinglife.com.

"I don't know if he would've beaten Sea Moon but he was definitely unlucky. It wasn't the kind of trip you want to have.

"I think his run at Ascot shows he has enough speed to run at that pace and he was able to quicken properly at the end. It's a bigger step now, a Group One against very good horses, but I am hopeful."

The going on the round course at Ascot is currently soft with more showers forecast later in the week, but potentially testing conditions aren't concerning Delzangles.

"He really goes well on any kind of ground so it doesn't matter.

"He's been doing very well. He came back in good form from the race and he's been doing everything right at home.

"We've kept him in good form, kept him fit and he knows his job now."

Dunaden is 5-1 for Saturday's King George with Sky Bet.