It’s the big King George weekend at Ascot, with another great renewal of the top tier race. Can Auguste Rodin make up for last year’s incredible disappointment? Or can Rebel’s Romance strike through the heart? Plus a fantastic undercard to get through too. It’s a King George Four to Follow.
Junior Monarch
1:50 – Princess Margaret Stakes (Group Three) – Handcuffed @ 5/1 (William Hill)
Often a tricky two-year-old race in the middle of the season, there’s a good mix of talented fillies this year. Handcuffed was one of the last horses to be bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and she has some speedy bloodline. A half-sister to July Stakes winner Tactical, she was ridden patiently on debut, before switching to the inside and winning comfortably. With similar conditions today and a yard with good 2-Y-O form, she’s the pick for me.
Bass, Baritone, Alto…
2:25 – Valiant Stakes (Group Three) – Soprano @ 7/2 (Betfred, BetUK)
Another tough Group Three to pick at Ascot. In recent years, the form is with the three and four-year-olds. Soprano returns to the scene of her biggest career win, and on similar conditions too. With the big three-year-old allowance, she comes into the race top rated. Soft ground let her down last time out at Sandown, but still produced a good effort for third. But she has more favourable conditions today.
Photo Finish
3:00 – Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – New Image @ 9/1 (William Hill)
Always a competitive race, and once again I’m going for a similar pick. David O’Meara’s luck has to turn in these Ascot seven furlong handicaps, and young pretender New Image comes into the fold. A rather consistent horse since transferring from the all-weather, he enjoyed a good success at Musselburgh, before narrowly finishing behind Tolstoy at York. With a rapid rise to the top, its clear O’Meara thinks highly of this horse.
Metal Merchant hasn’t had much luck recently. Two good handicaps at Newbury have been offset by two average performances at Ascot and Sandown. However, he is drawn next to pace in the middle of the track with Dancing Gemini and Ropey Guest. Despite not winning on firm ground, the race tactics should suit him to a ‘T’. 9/1 (William Hill).
Northern Express has finished fourth in this race the previous two years. He’s back on the same mark for last year’s fourth and comes in off the back off three decent runs at both York and Royal Ascot. He wears first-time cheeckpieces to sharpen him up which can only be seen as a positive. Underestimate him at your peril, 16/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).
Love Is King
3:40 – King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (GROUP ONE) – Rebel’s Romance @ 7/2 (General)
I just can’t trust Auguste Rodin. He has the potential to blow out with every run, yet on his day he can be ultra-impressive. But Rebel’s Romance is the horse in the race that knows a thing or two about winning. UAE 2000 Guineas, UAE Derby, Breeders‘ Cup Turf, Sheema Classic and a win in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood. He’s been everywhere and pretty much done it, including last time out in Hong Kong. He’s won on firm ground before and has the potential to be king at Ascot.
Sunway for David Menusier ran a superb race in behind Los Angeles in the Irish Derby last time out, and with the three-year-old allowance has a big say on proceedings. Despite not winning this season, he’s come close twice. Firm ground will be interesting for him, but he’s unexposed and ran well on firm-ish conditions at the Curragh last time out. Each-way potential at 14/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).
The very best of luck!
