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GREEN LIGHT

Laurens in top shape as she gears up for the QEII on British Champions Day

Karl Burke's five-time Group 1 winner will be supplemented for the Ascot contest on Monday

TRAINER Karl Burke has given Laurens the green light for a tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Owner John Dance will shell out £70,000 on Monday morning to add the filly to the QEII field at Ascot on Saturday.

 Laurens (left) won the Sun Chariot Stakes last time out
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Laurens (left) won the Sun Chariot Stakes last time outCredit: PA:Press Association

The five-time Group 1 winner is reported to be in top shape by Yorkshire-based Burke.

She put in a pleasing piece of work under jockey PJ McDonald on Sunday morning, after which her handler gave her the thumbs up to head to British Champions Day.

Burke said: "She worked today I'm very happy with her.

"PJ rode her. It wasn't a hard piece of work, it was just with her usual lead horse, but she looks in great form.

"One of the two reasons to do the work this morning was it gives her an extra couple of days recovery for Saturday rather than work on the usual Tuesday.

"And also we can make sure she is 100 per cent in the morning after her work before we press the button and spend £70,000 of John's (Dance, owner) money.

"She looks fantastic and we are all very happy. Fingers crossed there are no reasons why we shouldn't be going for the QEII."

McDonald is due to take the ride at Ascot having missed the filly's last two wins through injury.

Burke continued: "PJ looks fit and well. He's been working hard at Jack Berry House and I think he rides again on Wednesday.

"He's having a couple of rides on Wednesday and a couple on Friday, I think, in preparation for Saturday. He looks pretty fit to me."

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