Racing: Heart's Cry is value to subdue the Hurricane

It has drawn the smallest field since Nijinsky beat five others in 1970, but can seldom have created a more intense crucible than at Ascot today. Always a useful measure of the balance of power on the Turf, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes concentrates many of the defining flavours of this searing, turbulent summer.

Most obviously, it amplifies the catastrophic fortunes of the man who would normally be riding the favourite, Hurricane Run. Now that Kieren Fallon has been banished from British racing, pending his trial on conspiracy to defraud, the most potent rider of his generation must watch helplessly as Christophe Soumillon takes over.

However engrossing that drama, or however excruciating, it would be a pity if it were to distract from the many intriguing plots laced into the race itself. For while only three horses seem qualified for the prize, they intricately reflect the cosmopolitan community consumed by allegations of a squalid domestic scandal.

Their respective jockeys are from Italy, Belgium and France, their owners from Dubai, Ireland and Japan. The horses themselves emerged from Italy, from France via Germany, and Japan. Their excellence implies many valid lessons for the British sport, but their quest for one of its most cherished prizes reflects more specific themes.

Heart's Cry, for instance, bears the standard of an emerging superpower in the global sport. Hurricane Run is meanwhile charged with extending the empire of his owners at Coolmore Stud, who are enjoying a rampant season on the racecourse.

And then there is Electrocutionist, who could extinguish the nightmare endured by the Godolphin stable after their return to Europe in the spring. This admirable horse has already relieved morale in the camp twice, first by winning the Dubai World Cup itself, and then by running such a spirited race at Royal Ascot last month. Godolphin have continued to retrieve momentum since. They have still won only 14 races in Britain, and just one at Group level. As always, however, their lavish resources have dependably provoked the cheapest criticism. Those charged with the care of these precious animals handled the crisis with forbearance and, judging from the way they have begun to regroup, no little skill.

Iffraj showed the benefit achieved by their horses from a comeback run at the royal meeting when unlucky not to win the July Cup. On the same basis, Electrocutionist looks sure to run a very big race today - especially as he is still lightly raced for a five-year-old.

While he enjoyed the run of the race in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, he is basically a fairly obdurate galloper who might have prospered from a greater test. The assistance of a pacemaker, promises additional improvement from his return to a longer trip.

In contrast Soumillon has yet to ride a winner at Ascot, and Hurricane Run himself looks more vulnerable than might have been imagined after his spectacular performance in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last autumn.

His remarkable young sire, Montjeu, has tended to impart as much fire as talent and Hurricane Run showed disturbing signs of obstinacy before consenting to beat two inferiors on his reappearance at the Curragh. He then seemed worryingly short of rhythm when just collared in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. All in all, he needs to polish up his act today on ground that may well be faster than ideal.

Those who insist on adulterating this delectable treat for purists with a bet should certainly take on the favourite at the prices. Electrocutionist is the sort of horse you would want with you in the trenches but the best value may rest with Heart's Cry (3.45). He has a cult following in his homeland - being the first horse to beat its great champion, Deep Impact - and showed why when cruising home from a strong field in the Dubai Sheema Classic. A storming finish in the Japan Cup last autumn, failing by just a nose to catch Alkaased, had already confirmed his potency in top international company.

The best bet of the day is also televised, at Newcastle. Along The Nile (nap, 2.55) was rather marooned at Newmarket last time but had previously been progressing apace and has long looked the type to benefit from an experiment over this shorter trip.

Chris McGrath

Nap: Along The Nile (Newcastle 2.55)

NB: Knot In Wood (York 3.15)