RICHARD HUGHES secured the ride on Oscar Schindler yesterday as the final major piece of the jockey jigsaw for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes fell into place.
Trainer Kevin Prendergast pumped for the rising young star with his first choices Michael Kinane and Pat Eddery unavailable.
Kinane, who rode Oscar Schindler to his last two victories, is partnering Classic Cliche while Eddery will be aboard the Epsom Derby winner Shaamit at Ascot on Saturday.
Prendergast said: "I've gone for Richard because he's a local lad and rides well. His riding style should suit the horse. He will come over on Thursday to ride Oscar Schindler in his work but the horse doesn't pull and he's a straightforward ride."
Oscar Schindler, among 11 horses standing their ground yesterday, is bidding to give Ireland its first success in the King George since St Jovite in 1992.
The colt has already demonstrated his ability in Britain this year with victories in Chester's Ormonde Stakes and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"When he won his last race at Ascot the ground was pretty hard, so I don't think the conditions will be a problem on Saturday. The horse couldn't be better and I'm looking forward to the race," said Prendergast.
Clive Brittain loves to have a runner in a big race and he was making optimistic noises about his contender Luso.
The horse was a big disappointment when trying to make the running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when many felt he was only in the field to act as a pacemaker.
Brittain stressed that Luso, the mount of Olivier Peslier, will be running entirely on his merits as he was in the Arc.
"The horse was running for himself in the Arc but he was over the top then. It will be a different kettle of fish at Ascot," he said.
"He's raced in Italy and it's been like a road out there so I'm sure the ground isn't going to present any problems."
With Halling pulled out at yesterday's acceptance stage, trainer Saeed Bin Suroor winner of the event 12 months ago with Lammtarra, is set to be represented by Classic Cliche and Annus Mirabilis.
The market leaders Pentire and Shaamit both hardened yesterday in the betting. Pent ire is now a best priced 9 to 4 favourite (Coral and William Hill) while Shaamit, available at 4 to 1 earlier, is now best at 11 to 4 (Coral and William Hill).
Both colts are reported to have impressed in workouts at New market on Sunday.
Swain, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, was among the acceptors yesterday but remains a doubtful runner because of the likelihood of fast ground and is offered at 5 to 1 with a run by all three leading firms. John Reid is on standby to ride Swain or the same owner's Singspiel.
Ground conditions were yesterday reported to be good to firm and watering is continuing.
. The late maturing Victory Speech, co owned by Michael Tabor and Coolmore's John Magnier, powered his way to an impressive three and a half lengths victory in the Grade Two Swaps Stakes (9f) at Hollywood Park, California, on Sunday.
Lukas and Tabor had teamed up to win this same last year with Thunder Gulch.
