Goldream back from layoff for King George Stakes

Goldream, a winner of Group 1 sprints in England and France in 2015, will have his first start since March in Friday’s $409,850 King George Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Goodwood Racecourse, a competitive race that drew 17 runners.

The Group 2 King George Stakes lacks a clear favorite. As of Wednesday, Marsha, Easton Angel, and Muthmir, the first three finishers of the City Walls Stakes at five furlongs on turf at York Racecourse on July 9, and Goldream were listed at 6-1 or 7-1 with British bookmakers.

Goldream, a 7-year-old gelding trained by Robert Cowell, has not started since finishing ninth in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse on the Dubai World Cup program on March 26. In 2015, Goldream’s Group 1 wins were the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp in October on the same program as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Muthmir is winless in six starts since a victory in the 2015 King George Stakes at Goodwood. Trained by William Haggas, Muthmir was beaten a length by Marsha in the City Walls Stakes.

Marsha and Easton Angel, both 3, are the only fillies in the King George field.

Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien starts Washington DC, who was third in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup for 3-year-old sprinters at Royal Ascot last month.