Kayf Tara was a shock absentee as eight horses stood their ground today for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
The Godolphin hope, a winner of the Gold Cup on his last outing, was quoted as short as 7-1 in ante-post betting for the #750,000 spectacular.
Godolphin, winner of the Ascot showpiece four times in the last five years, will now be pinning their hopes on Fantastic Light.
Compton Ace and Gold Academy, both outsiders in the ante-post betting, were also taken out at today's final acceptance stage.
The absence of Kayf Tara has further strengthened the cause of French ace Montjeu who was as short as 8-13 before the news of the Gold Cup winner's absence broke.
Leading the opposition is the Aga Khan's Daliapour who is bidding to give Sir Michael Stoute his first success in the race since Opera House in 1993. The trainer has a second string to his bow in Beat All.
The Aga Khan is also doubly represented with Raypour, trained by John Oxx, coming over from Ireland.
Fruits of Love was given the all-clear by his trainer Mark Johnston this morning. The five-year-old had been suffering from a leg injury that had put his participation in doubt.
Henry Cecil, last successful in the race with King's Theatre in 1994, has left Shiva in the race.
But the trainer has warned in the past that the mare must have cut in the ground if she is to perform to her best.
The field is completed by the Japanese raider Air Shakur. The colt representing the trainer responsible for Agnes World who earlier this month won the July Cup at Newmarket.
