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

Richard Hannon has a strong recent record in the 1200m two-year-old maiden at Ascot which OUR TERMS holds leading claims of enhancing on his second start. One of just two runners with previous experience in the field, the son of WOOTTON BASSETT shaped with plenty of promise in what is traditionally a strong 1,400m maiden at Newmarket July Course. Racing close to the back of the field in order to get the distance, he appeared to not quite see out the 1,400m. With that experience on his side crucial, and the drop back to 1,200m a plus, it can see him give Hannon a seventh victory in the race since 2015.

 

Charlie Appleby saddled subsequent G2 winner MYTHICAL MAGIC to victory in the race back in 2017 and he will look to repeat that win with AL MISBAR. On pedigree he is all about speed, with his dam ANNA LAW having raced over no further than 1,200m and his sire the multiple G1 winning sprinter BLUE POINT. The Godolphin colt is also very attractively bred, being a half-brother to multiple G1 winning sprinter BATTAASH and dual G3 winner THE ANTARCTIC. Newcomers from the Appleby yard are always to be feared and this looks to be another exciting prospect.

 

Jane Chapple-Hyam has her team in fine form at the moment and plenty is expected of debutant ECHALAR. Although she is yet to saddle a 2YO winner this year, she has recently seen newcomers ELIZABETH BAY and BOXTEL run well in defeat. The son of TOO DARN HOT is likely to get further in time, but the stiff 1,200m looks a good starting point for him.

 

Roger Varian is yet to hit full stride with his 2YO team, but FIRE FLAME is an interesting newcomer for the Newmarket trainer. The son of WOOTTON BASSETT looks to be one of the more likely contenders, with his dam FIRELIGHT a dual 1,200m winner during her 2YO career, so he should be sharp enough for the occasion.

 

BACK IN BLACK is the only other runner with experience in the field having finished second in a 1,203m novice event at Yarmouth on his first start. The son of DARK ANGEL showed signs of inexperience early in the race that day before running on well to finish second. Although the form has not worked out, previous experience in a contest like this count for a lot and he could take a big step forward with that run under his belt.

 

SELECTIONS: 7. OUR TERMS, 1. AL MISBAR, 3. ECHALAR, 4. FIRE FLAME & 2. BACK IN BLACK

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 7. OUR TERMS & 1. AL MISBAR
S1-2: Multiple – 6. MANDURAH & 8. SIMMERING

 

S1-2     Princess Margaret Stakes

 

The G3 Princess Margaret Stakes over 1,200m features some up-and-coming 2YO sprint fillies.

 

MANDURAH looks a nice type for Simon & Ed Crisford whose stable has found its form of late after a bit of a dry spell. Winning comfortably over 1,200m on debut at Newmarket July Course, the daughter of KINGMAN looks to possess plenty of ability and could be ready to take the step forward into Group company. The favourite, SIMMERING, looks the one to beat having lost out narrowly to Aidan O’Brien’s highly-rated FAIRY GODMOTHER last time out in the G3 Albany Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot, but MANDURAH could well give her a run for her money.

 

SIMMERING does look a particularly smart contender, though. Despite not having a win to her name yet, Ollie Sangster’s filly looks ready to go one better than her performance last time out at Royal Ascot. With the ground forecast to stay good-to-firm coupled with her consistency over 1,200m, it’s difficult to think she’ll finish outside of the frame with Ryan Moore on board.

 

Oisin Murphy has been booked to ride HANDCUFFED in the royal silks for her second career run. Despite winning on debut at Newbury over 1,200m, leaves plenty of room for improvement against some stiffer competition. She did however quicken up very nicely inside the final 200m to fend off her opposition and given that Andrew Balding’s yard is currently in excellent form, she’s certainly worth keeping an eye on.

 

Clive Cox saddles DEFINITIVE here with Tom Marquand set to ride. Earlier this month, this filly made light work of her rivals on debut at Haydock over 1,200m, giving a good insight of what might be to come. Kicking on strongly to the line, she finished a length-and-a-half clear of her opposition and could find the places should she run a similar race here.

 

Our final selection is TALES OF THE HEART. Rossa Ryan is on board and will be looking to continue his hot form of late for handler Ralph Beckett, who won the 2022 renewal of this contest. Although finishing sixth last time out in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes over 1,200m, it was a deep race and she could well improve for that run.

 

SELECTIONS: 6. MANDURAH, 8. SIMMERING, 5. HANDCUFFED, 4. DEFINITIVE & 9. TALES OF THE HEART

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 6. MANDURAH & 8. SIMMERING
S1-3: Multiple – 6. DEVOTED QUEEN & 8. SOPRANO

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:   
Banker – 6. MANDURAH
Selections – 8. SIMMERING, 5. HANDCUFFED, 4. DEFINITIVE & 9. TALES OF THE HEART
S1-3:   
Banker – 6. DEVOTED QUEEN
Selections – 8. SOPRANO, 4. SIRONA, 7. FRIENDLY SOUL & 1. DOOM

 

S1-3     Valiant Stakes

The Valiant Stakes is a G3 race over 1,594m for fillies and mares aged three and above over the round course at Ascot, featuring a host of promising entrants.

 

Charlie Appleby is yet to train the winner of this race, but his filly DEVOTED QUEEN might be about to change that. The KINGMAN filly is unbeaten in her three starts, last seen when winning a Listed event over 1,575m at York. She looks primed for further improvement and is the one to beat.

 

After SOPRANO’s Royal Ascot win over 1,600m in June, she has to be taken seriously. George Boughey’s filly arrived to the Sandringham Stakes with a host of strong 2YO form, and proved much the best on the day. Next time out, stepped up into Listed company, she didn’t act well on Sandown’s soft ground, but is entitled to bounce back on better ground and could hit the frame.

 

SIRONA has been somewhat a revelation since joining David Menuisier’s yard. Merely a handicapper when trained by Charlie Johnston, Menuisier has managed to get her placed twice in two G3s and finish fifth in G1 company 15 days ago at Newmarket July Course over 1,600m. She’s yet to win for her new stable, but this race offers her another opportunity to run well again at Group level.

 

FRIENDLY SOUL looked a real hot prospect at the start of the season. After winning a minor 1,600m maiden on debut in December, this Gosden filly did extremely well to win her next start, a Listed race at Newmarket over 2,000m in May, in which the front two pulled 12 lengths clear. She was then expected to continue progressing on her next start in the G3 Musidora Stakes over 2,051m at York in May, but put in a below par effort. This trip might be on the sharp side, and she has to bounce back, but she should have the ability to go close.

 

DOOM is an improving 4YO filly who could make her presence felt too. It took her six starts to get off the mark, winning a Redcar maiden over 1,400m in September, but she then jumped forward two starts later to win a Listed race at Fontainebleau over that same trip. This term she has placed twice in Group company, including when third in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes over 1,594m at Royal Ascot, and William Haggas’ representative could show a career best here.

 

SELECTIONS: 6. DEVOTED QUEEN, 8. SOPRANO, 4. SIRONA, 7. FRIENDLY SOUL & 1. DOOM

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 6. DEVOTED QUEEN & 8. SOPRANO
S1-4: Multiple – 5. CARRYTHEONE & 3. ORAZIO

 

S1-4     Rockingham Handicap

CARRYTHEONE deserves to win a valuable handicap and all he needs is better luck than he’s enjoyed recently. He would have probably added to his victory in a competitive Newmarket handicap over 1,400m in May granted better fortune on his last two starts. Michael Bell’s runner got stuck in all sorts of traffic problems when third in the Buckingham Palace Stakes over 1,400m over the same course and distance at Royal Ascot. It was a similar story when fourth in the 1,400m Bunbury Cup at Newmarket July Course two weeks ago. If the gaps open at the right time, he will go very close.

 

ORAZIO has the potential to improve now he tackles 1,400m for the first time. His pedigree suggests he will be suited by the step up in distance and he comes into this race on the back of a personal best performance when a strong-finishing third in the 1,200m Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

 

AALTO won over 1,800m at ParisLongchamp last year before crossing the English Channel to join Ian Williams. He took a little time to find his best form after moving to Britain but his impressive victory in the 1,400m Bunbury Cup at Newmarket July Course two weeks ago was an excellent performance. Even with a rise in the ratings, he still looks well handicapped and he could easily progress into Group races later in the season.

 

BILLYJOH ran a cracker when second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last month on his first try at 1,400m. He stayed on well in the closing stages and has the potential progress over this distance having only previously run in sprints. His last three victories came on the all-weather and horses with good form on artificial surfaces often run well at Ascot.

 

BLESS HIM is a regular in these big-field handicaps on Ascot’s straight course. He failed by just a neck to win the 1,400m Victoria Cup when third over the same course and distance in May. His subsequent efforts haven’t been as good but the return to his favourite venue makes him a dangerous competitor. Regular partner Jamie Spencer is in the saddle and few jockeys ride this course as well as him.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. CARRYTHEONE, 3. ORAZIO, 14. AALTO, 9. BILLYJOH & 7. BLESS HIM

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 5. CARRYTHEONE & 3. ORAZIO
S1-5: Multiple – 1. AUGUSTE RODIN & 8. BLUESTOCKING

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-4:   
Banker – 5. CARRYTHEONE
Selections – 3. ORAZIO, 14. AALTO, 9. BILLYJOH & 7. BLESS HIM
S1-5:   
Banker – 1. AUGUSTE RODIN
Selections – 8. BLUESTOCKING, 7. REBEL’S ROMANCE, 5. LUXEMBOURG & 9. SUNWAY

 

S1-5     King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes

AUGUSTE RODIN can produce a poor effort, and he was beaten in his first two starts of 2024 in the 2,410m G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and 2,100m G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, but there is little doubt about his abundant talent when he is at his best and he should have a massive chance. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, who is seeking a fifth victory in the race, last year’s Derby hero flopped in this contest 12 months ago but has since captured the G1 Irish Champion Stakes over 2,000m and G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf over 2,400m. He was last seen emerging on top in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes over 1,993m at Royal Ascot, after which connections suggested they had found the key to the brilliant 4YO, whose optimum conditions are good or faster ground.

 

BLUESTOCKING missed Royal Ascot but has been in action since and recorded the finest performance of her life in the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes over 2,000m at the Curragh last time. That followed an equally stylish display over 2,051m in York’s Middleton Fillies’ Stakes in May and any rain would increase her chances for trainer Ralph Beckett, who is fast becoming a big player in major races.

 

Quicker ground, however, is ideal for Godolphin’s reliable REBEL’S ROMANCE, who comes into this after classy successes over 2,410m in Meydan’s G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup over 2,400m at Sha Tin most recently. He has another three G1 wins to his name over 2,400m, including the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf, so is a must for shortlists.

 

O’Brien is also represented by LUXEMBOURG, who deserves respect too having won G1 races in each of the four seasons he has been in training. The last of which was Epsom’s 2,405m Coronation Cup and this consistent but capable individual was not disgraced when fourth in this race last year.

 

SUNWAY is the sole 3YO in the line-up and cannot be dismissed receiving weight from his older rivals. He had the ability to win a G1, the Criterium International over 1,600m, at two and lacked the pace to get involved in the 2,100m G1 Prix du Jockey Club, but took his form to a new level when second, stepped up in trip to 2,400m, in the G1 Irish Derby four weeks ago.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. AUGUSTE RODIN, 8. BLUESTOCKING, 7. REBEL’S ROMANCE, 5. LUXEMBOURG & 9. SUNWAY

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 1. AUGUSTE RODIN & 8. BLUESTOCKING
S1-6: Multiple – 1. AL QUDRA & 5. NEW CENTURY

 

S1-6     Pat Eddery Stakes

 

This is a competitive Listed contest over 1,400m containing some 2YOs which have already shown a good level of form.

 

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has produced the winner three times in the last five years and he has an outstanding chance again with AL QUDRA. William Buick’s mount has only won once in four starts, his victory coming in a 1,201m novice event on Lingfield’s all-weather track at the start of last month. However, his performance levels have improved with each start and he looked like this step up to 1,400m would help him when staying on to grab fifth in the G2 Coventry Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot last month.

 

NEW CENTURY finished well behind AL QUDRA on his debut in that Lingfield race over 1,201m last month. He was always on the back foot after starting slowly and while the race turned into a learning experience, he showed promise to claim fourth. Unsurprisingly NEW CENTURY was a very different proposition on his successful second run at Doncaster when upped to 1,405m late last month. He looked particularly strong in the final 200m that day as he beat a runner-up who had already shown solid form and a third who has won since to boost the form.

 

CHANCELLOR is bred to be good with his dam being a Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf race winner and he made a very promising start when successful on debut at Doncaster over 1,202m earlier this month. Having started slowly the John & Thady Gosden-trained colt eventually was a clear-cut winner after producing a last-to-first challenge. That performance looks even better after solid subsequent performances from the three rivals closest to him at the finish. The extra 200m he races over here also looks like it should play to CHANCELLOR’s strengths.

 

DIVIDEND improved massively on his unplaced debut run at Lingfield over 1,200m in May when he opened his account by winning a Sandown maiden over 1,400m last month. Rossa Ryan’s mount did best of those who raced closest to pace and showed deep stamina reserves to fend off the opposition. He does not represent one of the big stables, but he should not be underestimated.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. AL QUDRA, 5. NEW CENTURY, 3. CHANCELLOR & 4. DIVIDEND

 

6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 1. AL QUDRA & 5. NEW CENTURY
S1-7: Multiple – 5. ELNAJMM & 6. BOPEDRO

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 1. AL QUDRA, 5. NEW CENTURY & 3. CHANCELLOR
S1-7: Multiple – 5. ELNAJMM, 6. BOPEDRO & 4. SILVER SWORD
S1-8: Multiple – 1. ALBASHEER, 3. WOODHAY WONDER & 9. TWO TRIBES

 

S1-7     3yo+ 86-105 Handicap

 

William Haggas’ ELNAJMM is the best starting point in this competitive handicap over Ascot’s straight 1,600m. This 4YO finished runner up in three novice races last season before getting off the mark in maiden company at Lingfield on his fourth attempt. He looked to have really strengthened up in the off season and left a taking impression when winning on his reappearance at Newcastle over 1,605m. He looked well ahead of his mark there, so despite a sizable rise in the weights, he remains of strong interest.

 

In contrast, BOPEDRO is exposed as an 8YO but looks to be dropping to a good handicap mark. On his last two starts, he’s hinted that a return to form might be close, running into third in a competitive York handicap over 1,575m, and then looking unlucky not to finish closer when short of room against the far rail at Epsom over 1,703m last time.

 

SILVER SWORD is another that needs to return to form. Dylan Cunha’s gelding ran some big races in Group company last season, recording a career best when second in the G3 Darley Stakes over 1,800m at Newmarket. He hasn’t reached those levels in four starts so far this season, including when well beaten on his return to handicap company last time. However, the 1,990m trip at Sandown may have stretched him and this drop back to 1,600m might be enough to spark some improvement. He won over this trip at York last season and looks feasibly handicapped.

 

TOLSTOY has been on a roll lately and is bidding to land a fourth consecutive win. His winning sequence began at York over 1,400m on 14 June and he followed up when stepped up in class over the same course and distance the following day. He won with plenty of authority on his last start, again at York over 1,400m, when hitting the line strongly, suggesting that he should be suited to this step up in trip. This race will require a clear career best, but he can’t be dismissed in his current form.

 

STERLING KNIGHT comes here in good form, having won over 1,600m at Newmarket July Course on his last start. That was his first start over the distance, and he toughed it out well at the finish to score under Oisin Murphy, who retains the ride here. He’s only been given a small rise in the handicap and there could well be more improvement to come over 1,600m, so he should remain competitive.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. ELNAJMM, 6. BOPEDRO, 4. SILVER SWORD, 9. TOLSTOY & 8. STERLING KNIGHT

 

7TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-7: Multiple – 5. ELNAJMM & 6. BOPEDRO
S1-8: Multiple – 1. ALBASHEER & 3. WOODHAY WONDER

 

S1-8     3yo+ Handicap

 

The key to finding the winner of this trappy 1,000m dash could lie with the race run over the same course and distance here two weeks ago, when ALBASHEER was unlucky to be beaten half a length. ALBASHEER was repeatedly denied a clear run in the last 400m, otherwise he would have probably come out on top. He is also equally effective over 1,000m or 1,200m, and this stiff uphill finish suits him well. True, ALBASHEER did finish well down the field in the Wokingham Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot, but he had a wall of horses in front of him from half-way, and Hollie Doyle quickly accepted the situation.

 

WOODHAY WONDER is an improving 3YO filly who now takes on the older horses. She carried on where she left off last season when winning twice more at Newmarket (both 1,200m) in the spring. All WOODHAY WONDER’s five wins have been over 1,200m, but on her first try at this 1,000m she looked just as good when finishing a close fourth in a big handicap at the Royal meeting.

 

William Buick is an interesting booking for TWO TRIBES, who ran a super race to finish second over 1,200m to JAMES'S DELIGHT at Newmarket. The winner and the fourth have boosted the form by both winning twice more since, and TWO TRIBES has won over 1,000m so the drop back is not a problem. He was since been beaten just 1.5 lengths into fourth place at Newmarket July Course, despite a slow start, and should be capable of running another good race.

 

EXISTENT can be unpredictable, but he has a win and place chance if he recaptures the form he showed when runner-up at Sandown over 1,009m three weeks ago. Stuart Williams is a shrewd trainer, and EXISTENT has dropped in the weights since last season. He couldn’t get a run at Royal Ascot last time over 1,200m and is better than that, so should go well if getting more luck on this occasion.

 

CALL ME GINGER has also tumbled down the handicap since he won over this course and distance last September. At 8YO, he is now in the veteran stage but could well outrun his odds.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. ALBASHEER, 3. WOODHAY WONDER, 9. TWO TRIBES, 8. EXISTENT & 13. CALL ME GINGER

 

 

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