Galileo, brilliant winner of the English and Irish Derbys, and unbeaten in five races, can put the seal of greatness on his career by landing the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot tomorrow.

This £750,000 contest is the not-to-be-missed race of the entire racing season.

It brings together the best of the generations, champion three-year-old Galileo locking horns with the superb five-year-old Fantastic Light, winner of almost £3 million in prize money, for a race which has attracted 12 runners.

Galileo has looked nigh on unbeatable this year, his fluent Derby success at Epsom being repeated in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh, where he beat Morshdi (in opposition again tomorrow) by an easy four lengths.

He faces a different sort of challenge tomorrow, taking on older horses, and whatever happens Fantastic Light should ensure that Aidan O'Brien's Irish raider knows he has had a race.

Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, who has won this race four times in the last six years, Fantastic Light has won Group 1 events on his last two starts and was particularly impressive when beating a top-notch field in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

But history might be about to repeat itself. Fantastic Light finished second to Montjeu in last year's 'King George', and, even though he now looks an even better horse, the chances are that he will be second to Galileo tomorrow.

Bunbury Cup winner Atavus looks sure to run a big race in the £100,000 Tote International Handicap.

Tornado Prince, pipped on the post at York earlier this month, can land the Mirror of Portugal Diamond Ladies' Handicap, in which he finished second a year ago.

The Nap vote is awarded to Hambleden (5.35), far from disgraced in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock lat time and a horse who we probably haven't seen the best of yet.

Racegoers in the north east have a choice of Newcastle and Redcar meetings tomorrow.

York owner Alan Black will be heading for Tyneside in the hope of seeing Blessingindisguise gain his second course win of the campaign.

Things haven't quite gone right for the Mick Easterby-trained sprinter in his last two outings, but Blessingindisguise is certainly not one to underestimate in the £10,000 Stanley Racing Handicap.

Also worth noting at Newcastle are the in-form Jessica's Dream (3.05), a previous course and distance winner, and Sea Storm (4.05), who is chasing a hat-trick.

At Redcar, the Bet Direct From Littlewoods Handicap offers Quiet Traveller the chance to add to his recent success.

Ollie Pears takes the mount on Linda Perratt's Scottish raider, and the North Yorkshire jockey also has good prospects of two Tim Easterby-trained runners, Princess Claudia (2.15) and Raphael (3.15).

Star Rage may be fast approaching the twilight of his career, but Mark Johnston's evergreen veteran can still raise a good gallop, as he is likely to prove in the Bet Direct On 0800 211222 Handicap.

Updated: 13:07 Friday, July 27, 2001