Trainer Owen Burrows is seemingly relishing running Hukum in Saturday’s King George And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, although is certainly wary it will prove no easy task in what he describes as ‘the best King George’s there’s been for many a year.’

The Shadwell-owned six-year-old made his first outing for 356 days when toppling the unbeaten 2022 Epsom Derby hero Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown and the pair look set to meet once more.

Owen Burrows spoke with Charlotte Greenway on Nick Luck's Daily Podcast: "We've been very pleased with him since [Sandown]. Obviously, we were a little frustrated that we couldn't run at Royal Ascot."

"He's a pleasure to train and it's all gone smoothly. Hopefully, we'll have no hiccups now over the next few days and he goes there in good form."

It's a race already being billed as the race of the season and most would argue rightly so, with this year's Epsom Derby one-two Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel expected to take their place alongside the likes of Emily Upjohn, Desert Crown and last season's defending champion Pyledriver.

Burrows added: "It's probably one of the best King George's there's been for many a year isn't it."

"From our point of view, it's obviously great to be involved in a race like this. I'm looking forward to it but it's going to be a very strong race."

When questioned about the horse he saw as the biggest danger, he said: "I'll be honest, I wouldn't pinpoint one to be truthful."

"I think obviously the three-year-olds, both Roger's [Varian – King Of Steel] and Aidan's [Auguste Rodin], with the weight for age they're going to be a big big danger. I'm a huge Emily Upjohn fan and obviously, Desert Crown can't be discounted and Pyledriver won it last year. Westover, Luxembourg, just the list goes on."

"There wouldn't be one I'd like to say is the main danger."

Owen Burrows' stable star was forced to miss the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot due to quick ground but should have no such issues with conditions this weekend with the ground currently described as Good to Soft, Soft (in places).

The Lambourn-based trainer said: "He's a very honest horse who was impressive when winning the Coronation Cup last year with ease in the ground."

"I read that his record on soft ground is something like he's run four times, had three wins, and he was third in the Hardwicke a few years back now."

"He's obviously shown a preference for a bit of juice in the ground."

Hukum is currently a general 4/1 chance to land Saturday's Group 1 feature at Ascot.