George Washington plans announced

The mystery is over. George Washington's next start is likely to be the 1 1/4-mile Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Oct. 20. So said his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, on Friday, one day after the name of the two-time European champion was left out of the entry box for Saturday's one-mile Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

O'Brien also mentioned the Breeders' Cup Mile as a possible next start for George Washington.

Since his return to training from stud duty, where he experienced fertility problems, George Washington, a 4-year-old Danehill colt is 0 for 3 this year, finishing fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes and third in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, both at a mile, and third in the 1 1/4-mile Eclipse Stakes.

Meanwhile, rain is playing havoc with the ground at Ascot and could prevent Darjina from running in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said that he would walk the course on Saturday morning before deciding to run Darjina, who needs good to firm ground to be at her best. The going at Ascot on Friday was good to soft with more rain predicted.