“George is the best horse in the race and is a worthy favourite as he won this race last year so easily,” said the rider.

“He was unlucky last time and was flying at the finish whereas I had the best run of the race on Darjina.

“For Saturday, I hope the ground is good and I am confident of finishing in the first three.

“It is like the Moulin. Before it was impossible to say whether we would win but she proved last time that she is the best three-year-old filly over a mile,” Soumillon told the Racing Post.

“George Washington is definitely the horse to beat.”