This weekend sees the return of big racing to Ascot with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (more commonly known as the King George) at Ascot, just a month removed from the Royal Ascot festival.

The race is filled with quality horses as well as potential stars of the future. Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope was the dominant winner of Royal Ascot and the move back to 12 furlongs paid huge dividends that day as the highly touted horse made good on his promise with a 7 length victory over this course and distance.

Oaks winner Taghrooda was dominant last time out at Epsom and looks a real good filly and will also have a 15lb weight allowance in the race due to being a 3 year old horse as well as a filly. Aidan O’Brien once again saddles Magician who won the Breeders Cup last season, but has rarely raced over the 1m4f distance, but remains interesting nonetheless despite recently appearing more of a 10 furlong horse.

Another intriguing 3-year-old is Sir John Gosden’s Eagle Top who owns a strong C&D victory here from Royal Ascot and is improving with each run though this is yet another step-up in class. Alongside the 2 outsiders Romsdal  and Leitir Mor, there are 3 horses who can cause a danger to the main protagonists in the race.

Mukhadram was an easy winner of the Coral Eclipse 3 weeks ago, but steps up in trip and potential for keenness and stamina is a doubt for the usual front-runner, but he is good each-way value if the race is run to suit. Flintshire has been brought over from France by Andre Fabre and he won’t have just sent over a horse for the fun of it! It’s a horse that has yet to run on firm ground and whether or not this will bring an improvement remains to be seen.

Trading Leather runs in the Godolphin colours and is rarely out of the places in Group 1 action and often outruns the price offered but didn’t make too much of an impression late on when trailing Mukhadram at Sandown albeit on softer ground.

Selection: Eagle Top e/w

Channel 4 Selections

York 1.50 Maracuja

Ascot 2.05 Muraaqaba

York 2.20 Royal Rascal

Ascot 2.40 Between Wickets

York 2.55 Windhoek

Ascot 3.15 Horsted Keynes

York 3.30 Muthmir

Ascot 3.50 Eagle Top

 

Other Saturday Selections

Ascot –

1.30 Disegno

Lingfield –

6.00 Elizona

6.30 Lady Sparkler

8.35 Lily Edge

Newcastle –

4.15 Elizabeth Coffee

Newmarket –

3.20 Laftah

4.30 Portamento

Salisbury –

7.15 Crafty Choice