Expert Column for King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day (S1)
S1-1 Princess Margaret Stakes by Bill Esdaile
Ascot’s King George card gets underway with a very competitive G3, the Princess Margaret Stakes run over 1,200m.
Favourites haven’t won this since 2017 and this year’s likely market leader LEZOO will hope to buck the trend. Ralph Beckett’s filly is two from three in her career so far, including winning the Listed Empress Fillies’ Stakes over 1,200m at Newmarket (July Course). She was last seen finishing a close second to MAWJ in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at 1,200m, form which could prove very strong further down the lines, and LEZOO is clearly a leading contender here.
Beckett looks to hold a strong hand in the race with his PALM LILY another who looks to hold solid claims. From the first crop of EXPERT EYE, the 2YO comes into this after a good display on debut at Kempton over 1,200m. She didn’t beat a strong field but when jockey Rob Hornby asked her to quicken, she did it in the style of a good filly and there is almost certainly more to come.
However, they might both have their work cut out taking on GLENLAUREL. Kevin Ryan’s contender has had just one career start, but it was hard not to be impressed with her debut success at Thirsk over 1,200m. Having been slow to break, she moved past her rivals with ease and went on to win without being asked a serious question by jockey Kevin Stott. GLENLAUREL is clearly a very smart prospect and she looks destined for bigger and better things.
Trainer George Boughey is enjoying another great season, as is jockey William Buick, and the duo team up with KINTA. She’s another to put her unbeaten tag on the line having won her first two races on the polytrack at Lingfield and Kempton. Boughey’s runner has got the job done nicely on both occasions and there’s likely plenty more to come, although this is by the far the best opposition she’s faced so far.
The placings can be completed by ROYAL CHARTER. She wasn’t particularly well-fancied on debut at Newmarket (July Course) but got the job done nicely to win. Last year’s winner ZAIN CLAUDETTE won that maiden before taking this race, so there’s plenty in her favour.
SELECTIONS: 3. GLENLAUREL, 5. LEZOO, 8. PALM LILY, 4. KINTA & 9. ROYAL CHARTER
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-1:
Banker – 3. GLENLAUREL
Selections – 5. LEZOO, 8. PALM LILY, 4. KINTA & 9. ROYAL CHARTER
S1-2:
Banker – 9. ZANBAQ
Selections – 6. KIND GESTURE, 5. JUMBLY, 7. OSCULA & 1. NOVEMBA
S1-2 Valiant Stakes by Bill Esdaile
ZANBAQ steps into a G3 for the first time in the Valiant Stakes over 1,594m but she looks up to the task as this doesn’t appear to be a strong race for the grade. She won two of her first three races, before then going into the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot without much experience. Her second in that big-field 1,600m contest was a clear personal best and it also showed she likes this track. The jump from that top fillies’ handicap to this better grade might not be as large as it appears, and in-form trainer Roger Varian looks to have a progressive filly on his hands.
Varian has a strong hand as his other runner, KIND GESTURE, also has claims. This will be a big step in class for this improving 3YO as she is going from novice races straight into a G3 contest but what she has achieved so far has been most impressive. She only made her debut when runner-up over 1,668m at Nottingham in May. Her first win came on her second start over 1,400m at Wetherby three weeks later and her most recent run was even better. It might not have been the strongest opposition that she beat over 1,628m at Windsor last month, but she could not have won any easier and there was ten lengths back to the runner-up. She is hugely progressive and it’s easy to imagine her being up to this level.
JUMBLY won three times as a juvenile last year and she made a promising return to action when runner-up in the G3 Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury over 1,400m. She found all sorts of trouble when finishing in midfield in the G2 German 1000 Guineas over 1,600m last time, so she remains a filly with potential.
OSCULA is a reliable filly. She won at this G3 level over 1,400m in France last year and has been consistent in Listed races this season. If she is allowed to set her own pace out in front, she would have claims as she is a tough competitor.
German raider NOVEMBA ran with credit in G1 races over 1,600m last year and she looked to be running into form when fourth behind SAFFRON BEACH in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes over 1,600m at Royal Ascot. She would prefer softer ground, though.
SELECTIONS: 9. ZANBAQ, 6. KIND GESTURE, 5. JUMBLY, 7. OSCULA & 1. NOVEMBA
S1-3 3yo+ Handicap by Bill Esdaile
Despite the big field, this 3yo+ handicap charge up the straight 1,400m has proved a good race for favourite backers. Four of the last seven winners have been market-leaders, though we have suffered a few surprises too.
The one defeat in DARK SHIFT’s last five races came in the 4yo+ handicap over 1,400m here in the spring, when he was drawn on the wrong side of the course. That apart, the versatile DARK SHIFT has done nothing but improve. He was impressive when slamming 28 rivals in the Royal Hunt Cup over 1,600m at the Royal meeting in June and is four from six at this course.
JUMBY has a similar profile, being equally effective at 1,200m and 1,400m, and he overcame traffic problems to win at Newmarket over 1,400m last back-end. This season, he has switched between the two distances, finishing close up in three big handicaps, including the prestigious Wokingham Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot. The fact that he relishes fast ground is also a plus, and he showed himself in great heart when a fast-finishing third in the Bunbury Cup over 1,400m at Newmarket (July Course) last time.
Irish champion jockey Colin Keane is a significant booking for veteran CHIEFOFCHIEFS, who has finished fourth at the last two Royal meetings. This sprightly 9YO has run his best races here and was a bit unlucky in the Buckingham Palace Stakes over 1,400m in June as he blew the start and finished best of all on the far side.
ROPEY GUEST has only won two of his 29 races, but he has finished second or third in nine others and comes alive when he steps on to the Ascot turf. He was runner-up here in June over 1,400m and at the 400m-pole he looked sure to go one better at Newmarket (July Course) in the aforementioned Bunbury Cup. But, having beaten off the opposition in the centre of the course, ROPEY GUEST was cruelly cut down on the stands side by BLESS HIM in the last 200m. Apprentice Callum Hutchinson is well worth his allowance here.
ARATUS thrived for a dry summer last year, winning three races over 1,400m at Doncaster, Newbury and Goodwood. He caught the eye when finishing on the heels of the placed horses here in the 1,400m Victoria Cup in May. His subsequent flop at the Royal meeting over 1,600m is best forgotten as his stamina gave out up the hill.
SELECTIONS: 6. DARK SHIFT, 13. CHIEFOFCHIEFS, 2. JUMBY, 9. ARATUS & 16. ROPEY GUEST
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (18 unit bets):
S1-3:
Banker – 6. DARK SHIFT
Selections – 13. CHIEFOFCHIEFS, 2. JUMBY, 9. ARATUS & 16. ROPEY GUEST
S1-4:
Banker – 2. MISHRIFF
Selections – 5. WESTOVER, 6. EMILY UPJOHN & 4. TORQUATOR TASSO
S1-4 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes by Bill Esdaile
Only six line up for this G1 prize over 2,392m, but the fact that between them they have won the 2,400m Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, 2,000m International Stakes, 1,800m Saudi Cup, 2,400m Coronation Cup and 2,400m Irish Derby, shows that this is an exceptional field.
It’s also an interesting clash of the generations, with two 3YOs, WESTOVER and EMILY UPJOHN, taking on their elders for the first time. 3YOs receive a considerable weight allowance from the older horses in this race and in the last 10 years, ADAYAR, ENABLE and TAGHROODA have all taken advantage of the weight concession. Given the authority of his Irish Derby win, where he effortlessly pulled seven lengths clear of his rivals, WESTOVER looks to have every chance of joining that illustrious group.
Trainer John Gosden has a fine record in this contest, winning it four times in the last 10 years, so while EMILY UPJOHN might not have had the perfect preparation for this race – having initially been aimed at the Irish Oaks last weekend – she is worthy of the utmost respect.
John & Thady Gosden also run the globetrotting MISHRIFF, who looked as good as ever when narrowly missing out in the G1 Eclipse Stakes over 1,990m at Sandown at the beginning of the month. He looked unlucky there, when caught behind rivals at a crucial stage and not getting a clear run when the pace lifted. While 2,000m is probably this 5YO’s ideal distance, he has won a G1 over this trip in the past and will be a huge danger to all, with fast ground conditions definitely in his favour.
Last year’s surprise Arc winner, TORQUATOR TASSO, recorded a good win in a 2,400m G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis at Hamburg at the beginning of July and runs for the first time in Britain here. A worry though is that he has never encountered quick ground conditions before and he might be worth opposing.
BROOME received a brilliantly judged front-running ride from Ryan Moore to win the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over 2,392m at Royal Ascot on his last start, keeping on well in the closing stages to win by over three lengths. While he might be able to lead once again in this field, dominating these proven G1 winners will be harder and he should find a few too good.
SELECTIONS: 2. MISHRIFF, 5. WESTOVER, 6. EMILY UPJOHN & 4. TORQUATOR TASSO
S1-5 Pat Eddery Stakes by Bill Esdaile
You don’t have to go far back to find a classy winner of the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes over Ascot’s straight 1,400m. In 2020, the prize was claimed by CHINDIT who earlier this month won the G2 Summer Mile over 1,600m here.
If there is one in this field who could be a star in the making, it might be NAVAL POWER who represents last year’s winning combination of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. The son of TEOFILO looks to have plenty of ability having won both his starts and he could take this step up in class in his stride. Handler Charlie Appleby and stable jockey William Buick will both be vying to become the leading trainer and rider respectively in this race with two victories already to their name.
The most inexperienced runner in the field is BAJAN BANDIT who arrives with just the one run to his name. That sole experience ended in victory when taking a ten-runner 1,394m maiden at Salisbury last month. Cieren Fallon had to push the son of OASIS DREAM right to the line to win, but he will have learned plenty from that. There is plenty of speed in his pedigree being by a G1 July Cup over 1,200m and G1 Nunthorpe Stakes over 1,000m winner, and this small field could play to his strengths along with the quick conditions expected.
MASCAPONE can give the selections something to think about though. On his most recent outing he was the beneficiary of a Jamie Spencer special when going from last to first in devastating fashion in a maiden at Chelmsford over 1,200m last month. It’s fair to say this son of MASSAAT bumped into one on his racecourse debut when lining up against eventual G2 July Stakes winner PERSIAN FORCE back in March at Doncaster over 1,003m. Finishing fourth that day, the first, second and third have all gone on to win since and the form looks solid.
Round out the selections can be WAITING ALL NIGHT who has finished fifth in his last three starts, albeit twice in G2 company and in a Listed event, which came in the National Stakes at Sandown over the minimum trip 1,009m, the aforementioned G2 July Stakes and the G2 Coventry Stakes over 1,200m. However, his breeding suggests there could be improvement for the step up in trip here, as his damsire AZAMOUR excelled over the same 1,400m distance as a 2YO.
SELECTIONS: 4. NAVAL POWER, 1. BAJAN BANDIT, 3. MASCAPONE & 5. WAITING ALL NIGHT
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 4. NAVAL POWER, 1. BAJAN BANDIT & 3. MASCAPONE
S1-6: Multiple – 10. ATRIUM, 7. RANDOM HARVEST & 5. SAGA
S1-7: Multiple – 4. BOND CHAIRMAN, 1. MOUNTAIN PEAK & 5. KING OF STARS
S1-6 3yo+ 86-105 Handicap by Bill Esdaile
ATRIUM has a good chance of improving his excellent record at Ascot in this 3yo+ 86-105 Handicap over 1,600m. He’s won twice from four visits to this track and a slow start was responsible for his below-par effort in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot over 1,600m in June. It was good to see him bounce back to form with another good run at this track two weeks ago when he stayed on well from a poor draw to finish a close third over 1,594m. That race was on the round course and this straight 1,600m suits his hold-up style much better.
RANDOM HARVEST is another runner with a liking for this course. She was caught wide from an unhelpful draw in the 1,594m Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, so she did exceptionally well to go down by just a neck to RISING STAR. The way she moved through the race was again impressive when she returned to Ascot with a 1,600m win two weeks ago. There is more to come from Ed Walker’s well-bred filly.
SAGA was a little unlucky not to win the 1,600m Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. He appeared to be given too much to do when held up in the rear by Frankie Dettori, so it was an excellent performance to go down by just a neck behind THESIS in that red-hot handicap. Top apprentice jockey Benoit de la Sayette takes over in the saddle and there’s no doubt he’s on a horse with the potential to be better than a handicapper.
REPERTOIRE won impressively over this course and distance in April. There have been valid excuses for his three below-par runs since and this race is likely to suit him much better. The return to Ascot is an obvious positive and his trainer David Simcock has his team in good form.
TEMPUS ran a huge race when third behind DARK SHIFT in the Royal Hunt Cup over 1,600m at Royal Ascot. He had won his previous visit to this track, so is another who is suited by this course. This well-bred son of KINGMAN missed the whole of last year and he has been holding his form well since joining trainer Archie Watson.
SELECTIONS: 10. ATRIUM, 7. RANDOM HARVEST, 5. SAGA, 8. REPERTOIRE & 1. TEMPUS
S1-7 3yo+ Handicap by Ben Cleminson
Many of the sprinters in this 1,000m contest are capable of competing a higher level, making this look a fiercely competitive handicap.
Perhaps the most interesting form line is the race where 7YO MOUNTAIN PEAK got the better of the younger BOND CHAIRMAN by the narrowest of margins over this course and distance two weeks ago. On that occasion, MOUNTAIN PEAK raced down the stands’ side rail, which was probably a telling advantage in the closing stages, as in contrast, BOND CHAIRMAN raced in the centre of the track for most of the race but wandered towards the stands’ rail near the finish.
The sectional times from that contest are also revealing as they show that BOND CHAIRMAN finished off his race to better effect, running the final 400m significantly faster. Bryan Smart’s 3YO son of KODIAC is now marginally better off at the adjusted weights, and being a younger, progressive horse, he should have more improvement in him. There is unlikely to be much between them once again, but those reasons suggest that it might be the younger horse that comes out on top this time.
Around four-lengths behind both of those rivals at Ascot was CORAZON, who was making her seasonal reappearance and handicap debut. George Boughey’s filly showed enough to suggest that she could be competitive off this handicap mark, when making up good ground from the back of the field but ultimately not having the pace to get involved in the finish. A G3 winner over 1,000m in France last season, there should be more to come and she is certainly capable of running her old rivals closer with that comeback effort behind her.
KING OF STARS has been kept busy since winning a handicap over this trip at Yarmouth in September last year and has now slipped back to his last winning handicap mark. The Michael Appleby-trained 5YO needs quick conditions to produce his best form and is likely to encounter those at Ascot, while he would be all the more dangerous if allowed an easy lead. There have been signs of encouragement this season too, especially when keeping on well for second at Sandown over 1,009m two starts ago, behind LOVELY MANA.
George Boughey’s LOVELY MANA has run eight races since March and has only finished out of the frame three times. However, judging by his most recent start at Ascot, when behind several of these rivals, the handicapper might just have caught up with him now.
SELECTIONS: 4. BOND CHAIRMAN, 1. MOUNTAIN PEAK, 5. KING OF STARS, 3. CORAZON & 6. LOVELY MANA
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