 Expert - Bill Esdaile | |
|---|---|
| Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races. | |
Expert Column for King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)
S1-1 2yo Maiden
Trainer Richard Hannon has made this maiden over 1,200m his own in recent years, winning 6 of the last 10 renewals, while 10 years ago his father, Richard Hannon Snr, also won this contest. That entitles his debutant TIMEBAR to plenty of respect, but while he is related to 1,000m and 1,200m winners, this son of TIME TEST doesn’t look the most obvious type on paper. There are others in here that have the benefit of experience and have already shown a high level of form, which they may be able to make count.
WELCOME DREAM is worth a close look after running a promising debut at Doncaster over 1,202m, where he looked to run green when getting to the front, but still stuck on well to finish third. Kevin Ryan’s runners tend to improve from their debut runs.
It took a while for APPELLANT to get the message on debut at Ayr over 1,200m earlier this month, but once shaken up he stuck on steadily and closed all the way to the line, going down by only a length. While that was a small field contest, plenty of strong yards were represented, so it could prove to be reasonable form for the track. APPELLANT looks set to appreciate this stiffer track on his second racecourse start and with natural improvement should go well.
One of the more interesting debutants in here is the Andrew Balding-trained FIRE DEMON. This son of DARK ANGEL is related to plenty of Group winners and Group placed horses over this trip and could be the type to show up well on his racecourse introduction.
ALJEZUR probably bumped into a high-class rival on his debut at Newbury over 1,200m earlier this month. He came under pressure early in that contest, but stuck to his task well to finish a clear second in a race that was run in a good time. This son of GALILEO GOLD looks the type to make big improvement on his second start and is likely to fly slightly under the radar for the smaller yard of trainer Luke Dace.
SELECTIONS: 11. WELCOME DREAM, 2. APPELLANT, 10. TIMEBAR, 3. FIRE DEMON & 1. ALJEZUR
1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 11. WELCOME DREAM & 2. APPELLANT
S1-2: Multiple – 11. SYMBOLOGY & 8. PRETTY CRYSTAL
S1-2 Princess Margaret Stakes
This year’s G3 Princess Margaret Stakes over 1,200m looks a wide-open contest, with several unexposed fillies lining up.
PRETTY CRYSTAL looks sure to go well on the back of her fifth in the G3 Albany Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot. A good winner on debut at Ripon over 1,200m, she beat some well-touted fillies at Ascot and a repeat performance would see her go close here.
I was impressed by the way SYMBOLOGY won on debut at York over 1,200m. Despite showing signs of inexperience in the early stages, the daughter of HAVANA GREY really knuckled down at the business end of the race to win with what looked a little in hand. It’s interesting connections are turning her out fairly quickly after that, and her trainer, Clive Cox, could hardly be in better form.
The combination of Charlie Appleby and William Buick in the famous Godolphin blue silks must always be respected and they saddle DAZZLING STAR. She didn't fire on debut at Kempton over 1,200m but created a striking impression last time on Newmarket's July course winning by three and a half lengths. She's bred to be a very talented filly and her victory last time suggests she has plenty of ability.
SACRED ANGEL is another who got the job done in fine style last time. She stepped up from a solid opening showing at Pontefract over 1,200m by winning at Newmarket over the same distance. The daughter of DARK ANGEL didn’t look to have too hard a race, so improvement can be expected here. She’s only run on good tto fast ground, though, so any rain would leave a question mark.
Trainer Archie Watson enjoyed a fantastic Royal Ascot and he will be hoping for more success at the track with GLADLY EVER AFTER. She’s only run once, but it was an eye-catching victory in a Chepstow maiden over 1,215m where she won with plenty left in the tank. The daughter of KODIAC is entitled to improve for that and she could surprise a few.
SELECTIONS: 11. SYMBOLOGY, 8. PRETTY CRYSTAL, 2. DAZZLING STAR, 4. GLADLY EVER AFTER & 9. SACRED ANGEL
2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 11. SYMBOLOGY & 8. PRETTY CRYSTAL
S1-3: Multiple – 5. CADEAU BELLE & 1. AMEYNAH
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (18 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 11. SYMBOLOGY
Selections – 8. PRETTY CRYSTAL, 2. DAZZLING STAR, 4. GLADLY EVER AFTER & 9. SACRED ANGEL
S1-3:
Banker – 5. CADEAU BELLE
Selections – 1. AMEYNAH, 2. RANDOM HARVEST & 3. ROMAN MIST
S1-3 Valiant Stakes
3YO fillies receive a significant weight allowance from their elders in the G3 Valiant Stakes over 1,594m and they have won 6 of the last 10 runnings of this race.
Of the younger generation it might be John Murtagh’s CADEAU BELLE that holds leading claims. His filly comes here with an unblemished record of two wins from two, progressing from a Gowran over 1,400m maiden win in May to land the Listed Kooyonga Stakes at Navan over 1,600m last month. She was held up that day but swiftly made up ground from the rear inside the final 400m in the style of a good filly. The second from that race has since gone on to finish runner-up in a G3 contest, marking CADEAU BELLE’s performance down as a good effort.
Perhaps most interesting is the lightly raced AMEYNAH. Roger Varian’s daughter of EXCEED AND EXCEL hasn’t been seen since finishing sixth in last season’s G1 1000 Guineas over 1,600m at Newmarket. Prior to that she was an impressive winner of a maiden over 1,400m at Newmarket, backing up a second placed finish on her debut. A lengthy absence is always a concern, but this is a filly that the Varian stable has always held in high regard and if ready to do herself justice on her return, she has the ability to go close.
RANDOM HARVEST has had four starts already this season and has gone close in both G3 and G2 company. Two starts ago, she made the running in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes over 1,600m at Royal Ascot and nearly prevailed, going down by only a neck at the line. Similar tactics could see her to good effect at Ascot, which often suits frontrunners.
ROMAN MIST has already landed a Listed race over 1,600m at Goodwood this season on soft ground. She has disappointed slightly the last twice, but ground conditions should suit.
SELECTIONS: 5. CADEAU BELLE, 1. AMEYNAH, 2. RANDOM HARVEST & 3. ROMAN MIST
3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 5. CADEAU BELLE & 1. AMEYNAH
S1-4: Multiple – 3. BIGGLES & 9. FRESH
S1-4 3yo+ Handicap
With good prize money on offer, the 1,400m International Stakes looks a fiercely competitive handicap.
BIGGLES is an obvious place to start, particularly with Ryan Moore booked again following their clear-cut success in the 1,400m Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (July Course) last time out. Despite being a little keen in the early stages, the 6YO son of ZOFFANY scooted away in the final 200m to win by a decisive two lengths. Prior to that, he showed his liking for Ascot’s straight 1,400m course when runner up in the Victoria Cup in May, and then finishing a respectable ninth in the Buckingham Palace Stakes when drawn away from the main protagonists.
Ralph Beckett also saddles STAR OF ORION who was a decent sixth in the Bunbury Cup and then won over the same course and distance of that race last time out. He has a far looking mark, is versatile in terms of ground and represents an in-form yard who have two strong cards to play.
Eight of FRESH’s last nine runs have come at Ascot, including when winning this contest 12 months ago, and he is very consistent at this track. He rarely runs a bad race, has form on quicker and slower ground, and two of his wins have come over this 1,400m. He hides little from the handicapper, has to be on the shortlist.
In April 2022, TACARIB BAY was lining up in the first Classic of the season, the 1,600m G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. He only beat three of the 15 horses home that day, but won a competitive Class 2 handicap two starts later on soft ground over 1,400m off the same mark he’s on here. After three slightly below-par runs this term, connections have decided to geld him and he’s an interesting contender on his first run back since that operation.
It’s hard to leave BLESS HIM out of the equation too. He’s off the same mark that saw him denied by a short-head in this contest 12 months ago and, despite his advancing years, has run well enough on his last two starts. The 9YO finished fifth in the 1,600m Royal Hunt Cup and fourth on his most recent start in the 1,400m Bunbury Cup, being held up and played late on both occasions. If things fall right for him, he could run into the money late.
SELECTIONS: 3. BIGGLES, 9. FRESH, 5. BLESS HIM, 17. STAR OF ORION & 2. TACARIB BAY
4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 3. BIGGLES & 9. FRESH
S1-5: Multiple – 4. HUKUM & 7. PYLEDRIVER
S1-5 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
A high quality field lines up for the 2,392m G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes this year.
A course and distance winner, HUKUM should be very competitive. The 6YO won his only start of this season in good style, beating last year’s G1 Derby Stakes winner DESERT CROWN in the 1,990m G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes back in May over what is too short a distance for him. Having won the 2,405m G1 Coronation Cup over four lengths in front of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes champion PYLEDRIVER last year, HUKUM has the class to win this, will love any cut in the ground and will relish the step up in trip.
Another course and distance winner, PYLEDRIVER, was most recently seen winning the 2,392m G2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. That was his first start since winning last year’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, so we know he likes it at Ascot. He certainly has the class to win here again but may be disadvantaged by softer ground than he prefers.
Although she was beaten 25 lengths by PYLEDRIVER in this race last year, EMILY UPJOHN has returned in excellent form this season. Her first start of the year saw her beat WESTOVER in the 2,405m G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom and she ran very well in the 1,990m G1 Eclipse Stakes to be a close second to PADDINGTON earlier this month. Her course and distance win in the 2,392m G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes last year shows she goes well at Ascot and handles soft ground well.
Winner of the both the 2,405m G1 Derby Stakes and the 2,400m G1 Irish Derby Stakes this year, AUGUSTE RODIN will be making his first visit to Ascot. Having won on both heavy and firm ground, he is a versatile horse who can handle any conditions and is well proven over this distance with those two Derby wins. He wasn’t particularly impressive at the Curragh last time, though, and he will need to improve on that if he’s to be competitive against these top class older horses.
The winner of the 2,400m G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France on his last start earlier this month, WESTOVER has been running consistently well this year, with two places and a win in G1 races in Dubai, England and France. Although he has been beaten in the past by PYLEDRIVER, the colt has hit a patch of good form this year and he should like the conditions.
SELECTIONS: 4. HUKUM, 7. PYLEDRIVER, 9. EMILY UPJOHN, 10. AUGUSTE RODIN & 8. WESTOVER
5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 4. HUKUM & 7. PYLEDRIVER
S1-6: Multiple – 10. SUNWAY & 2. ALYANAABI
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:
Banker – 4. HUKUM
Selections – 7. PYLEDRIVER, 9. EMILY UPJOHN, 10. AUGUSTE RODIN & 8. WESTOVER
S1-6:
Banker – 10. SUNWAY
Selections – 2. ALYANAABI, 1. AL MUSMAK, 9. ROSALLION & 6. CHATURANGA
S1-6 Pat Eddery Stakes
The 1,400m Listed Pat Eddery Stakes sees promising 2YOs from the UK and Ireland clash.
David Menuisier’s SUNWAY has only raced once, but based on his maiden win over 1,400m at Sandown last month, he could have plenty of ability. Former champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been booked for the ride and SUNWAY is one who has proved himself at the 1,400m distance. On breeding he should also handle some cut in the ground, so everything looks set for a big run.
Stepping up in trip, ALYANAABI represents the Owen Burrows yard and was an impressive winner of a novice over 1,200m at Salisbury last month. His sire, TOO DARN HOT, was unbeaten as a 2YO and his dam, ALYAMAAMA, is a half-sister to MAWATHEEQ and GHANAATI who were rated very highly during their racing career.
One for Roger Varian is AL MUSMAK who is the sole runner for owner Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah. Although this colt by NIGHT OF THUNDER didn’t win by a large margin earlier this month in a 1,400m novice at Ascot, he is one of the few who has form over the course and distance, so if he has come on from his debut run he could go close.
Richard Hannon won this race in 2020 with stable star CHINDIT and this year, ROSALLION will carry his hopes under stable jockey Sean Levey. By BLUE POINT, a first-season sire that has hit the ground running, he won a maiden 1,300m at Newbury last time out and was running on well at the line. It was quick ground that day, so we’ll have to see how he copes if it is softer at Ascot, but connections will be hoping he can add to BLUE POINT’s long list of winners this season.
Finally, Archie Watson’s CHATURANGA is already two from two so far in his career following victories at both Haydock over 1,393m and Redcar over 1,197m. Cheekpieces will be applied to this colt by INVINCIBLE ARMY for the first time, an interesting move from connections considering how well he stayed on in a 1,393m novice event last time out.
SELECTIONS: 10. SUNWAY, 2. ALYANAABI, 1. AL MUSMAK, 9. ROSALLION & 6. CHATURANGA
6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 10. SUNWAY & 2. ALYANAABI
S1-7: Multiple – 6. LATTAM & 10. LOWTON
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 10. SUNWAY, 2. ALYANAABI & 1. AL MUSMAK
S1-7: Multiple – 6. LATTAM, 10. LOWTON & 7. STORM CATCHER
S1-8: Multiple – 9. THE BIG BOARD, 4. ARECIBO & 3. BOND CHAIRMAN
S1-7 3yo+ 86-105 Handicap
The penultimate race on the card is a tricky 1,600m handicap.
LATTAM could be a good place to start as there is every chance there is more to come off his current mark. He seems to be a better horse this year having won a handicap over 1,600m at Curragh on his first start of the campaign before finished second in another handicap over 1,600m at Newbury. William Haggas' charge was last seen winning at Newcastle over 1,605m by just a nose but was always doing enough and more can be expected again.
GHALY was disappointing last time, but given it was his first start after a long break of more than 200 days, it's a run that can be forgiven. He enjoyed a very consistent 2022, winning twice at York and Newmarket over 1,575m and 1,600m respectively, and there could still be improvement to come as he's lightly-raced for his age. Oisin Murphy has been booked and he could still be well-handicapped.
LOWTON has to be considered as he looks an improving type who gets plenty of weight from most of his rivals given his age. The 3YO has only run three times in his life but looks to be getting better with every start. He was last seen winning a novice contest on Newcastle's Tapeta track over 1,413m and was probably a better winner than the margin suggested. He has form on soft ground so won't mind if the heavens open.
The booking of Frankie Dettori is eye-catching for STORM CATCHER. He's another who seems to have found a new lease of life this year having won twice in January and February and then running consistently since. Simon Pearce's challenger was well-beaten last time at Chelmsford, but that doesn't look bad form given the winner has since run really well in a competitive York handicap.
EMPIRESTATEOFMIND was mightily consistent last season, finishing first or second in five competitive handicaps between July and October. He reappeared with a fair seventh in the valuable Lincoln Handicap over 1,600m at Doncaster in April before a close second in a 1,600m handicap at Newmarket later that month. His last two starts haven’t been great, but he’ll enjoy the return to a softer surface and might pick up some prize money.
SELECTIONS: 6. LATTAM, 10. LOWTON, 7. STORM CATCHER, 2. GHALY & 4. EMPIRESTATEOFMIND
7TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-7: Multiple – 6. LATTAM & 10. LOWTON
S1-8: Multiple – 9. THE BIG BOARD & 4. ARECIBO
S1-8 3yo+ Handicap
The concluding race of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day at Ascot is a 1,000m handicap for 3YOs and older.
Seeking a hat-trick for Richard Hannon and prominent owner King Power Racing is THE BIG BOARD. Although he was disappointing under Oisin Murphy at Royal Ascot, the 3YO by PROFITABLE has won twice since in quick succession and receives a weight-for-age allowance against his elders.
One of the older horses in the race is Robert Cowell’s ARECIBO who has been dropping in the weights over the last 12 months. His career highlight was finishing second in the 1,000m G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2021, and despite that occurring over two years ago, if he returns to anything like that form he will be incredibly hard to beat.
Champion jockey William Buick was successful on BOND CHAIRMAN in a 1,003m handicap last time out at Doncaster and he will be looking to make it two from two on Bryan Smart’s 4YO by KODIAC. Having been rated higher not too long ago, he looks like he is well-weighted to be competitive and has only had one run this season, so he could have potential to improve throughout the rest of the year.
One horse who was ahead of THE BIG BOARD on his last start was RHYTHM N HOOVES who won the 1,000m Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes at a big price for Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle. Although he has to carry a bigger weight than he did last month, that course and distance form in a big-field handicap is very valuable and having won three of his last four, he could still have more improvement to come.
An interesting runner for trainer Jim Goldie is his stable stalwart CALL ME GINGER under claiming jockey Amie Waugh who rode him to success last season in a 1,130m handicap at Doncaster. This gelding by ORIENTOR is rated lower on Saturday than he was during that success and after a promising run at Ayr on unsuitable ground last time out, he could return to his former glory at Ascot on Saturday.
SELECTIONS: 9. THE BIG BOARD, 4. ARECIBO, 3. BOND CHAIRMAN, 8. RHYTHM N HOOVES & 12. CALL ME GINGER
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
