Montjeu is a hot favourite to make his first appearance in England a winning one in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

John Hammond's champion remains on course for the £750,000 sterling contest despite fears about fast ground at the weekend and is a best-priced 8 to 11 with Coral.

Watering has begun at the track with the going officially described as good to firm.

Clerk of the course Nick Cheyne said: "The whole of the track has been watered today. We didn't water over the weekend and it has dried out.

"We'll take it on a day-by-day basis. Showers are forecast for Wednesday with another showery band on Thursday but it could be localised and we might not get any rain at all."

Montjeu, winner of the French and Irish Derbys and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1999, was one of 11 entries confirmed for the big race.

Raypour represents the Sinndar team of owner the Aga Khan and trainer John Oxx.

However, the Aga Khan's best chance lies with the Michael Stoute-trained Daliapour, who has been well supported in the ante-post market of late.

Stoute also has last year's Vodafone Derby third Beat All in the race.

Godolphin have left in dual Gold Cup winner Kayf Tara and Fantastic Light. The Dubai operation's website has revealed that John Reid will renew his association with Kayf Tara, having won the 1998 Irish St Leger on the six-year-old, and Richard Hills is to take the ride on Fantastic Light.

Henry Cecil has withdrawn both Ramruma and Beat Hollow and now relies on soft-ground specialist Shiva.