Five horses to follow at York and Ascot on Saturday
There’s Group One action to look forward to on Saturday, with six contenders chasing King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes glory at Ascot, whilst the feature racing on Racing TV takes centre stage at York.
I have taken a look at five runners who warrant plenty of attention across both meetings this weekend. Best of luck with your bets, and please remember to gamble responsibly.
BREEGE
Trainer: John Quinn.
Race: Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (1.50pm, Ascot).
Breege was an impressive winner on debut in May
Earmarked as one of the yard’s best juveniles this season, Chasemore Farm homebred Breege made a stylish start to her career when powering to a five and a half-length success at Wetherby on debut in May over an extended five furlongs.
The manner in which she quickened away from her rivals on that occasion, despite being keen throughout, hinted that she could be an above-average filly.
However, she blotted her copybook somewhat with a disappointing second at Pontefract last time out when failing to justify favouritism. She tracked the eventual winner throughout and attempted to launch her challenge on the run for home, but never looked like reeling in Rousing Encore.
The sedate pace set in a small field may not have suited the daughter of Starspangledbanner and she should be better suited by this contest where she is likely to get a fast pace to aim at.
JUMBLY
Trainer: Roger Charlton.
Race: Longines Valiant Stakes (2.25pm, Ascot).
A daughter of Group One heroine Thistle Bird, Jumbly looked a hugely exciting prospect at the end of last season when impressively plundering a Listed prize at Newbury.
Second in the Fred Darling at the same track on her seasonal debut, she was arguably too keen on that occasion and was outstayed by Wild Beauty.
However, she now has questions to answer having run below-par in the French 1000 Guineas before finishing sixth in the German 1000 Guineas.
Conversely, there were clear excuses at Dusseldorf when she was denied a clear run entering the final two furlongs, which put paid to any chance, and a return to domestic shores, matched with a drop-in class, should be right up her street.
With Hollie Doyle back aboard, she holds leading claims in this Group Three contest.
FRESH
Trainer: James Fanshawe.
Race: Moet & Chandon International Stakes (3.00pm, Ascot).
A typically ultra-competitive handicap in which Fresh is given another chance to strike.
A regular performer in big-field handicaps at Ascot, he was beaten a neck in the 2021 Wokingham and was sent off the 4-1 favourite for this year’s renewal.
Given he has to be held up, he is reliant on finding the splits at the right time and, on this occasion, they failed to appear at crucial stages.
Having started to make headway entering the final furlong, he was denied a clear run and could never recover. It’s fair to say he would not have won, but he would have finished an awful lot closer.
Granted better luck in running here, a rating of 98 remains one which he can win off.
WESTOVER
Trainer: Ralph Beckett.
Race: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.35pm, Ascot).
Westover - hugely impressive in the Irish Derby!
Hopefully Arc hero Torquator Tasso takes his chance, despite concerns about the ground, and the six runners all perform to their best in the weekend highlight.
Westover deservedly enjoyed Classic success when an emphatic seven-length winner of the Irish Derby last time out, and he is taken to follow up here.
Unlike Mishriff, this is clearly Westover’s optimum trip and he was doing all his best work at the finish, at the Curragh, which augurs well for his St Leger bid later this season.
An interesting angle for the race is where the pace will come from, with the potential for Broome, Pyledriver or maybe even Westover to set his own fractions.
That has to be a slight concern for Emily Upjohn backers, given this could develop into a sprint, and this is clearly a much tougher ask for her, despite the fillies’ allowance, than she would have encountered in the Irish Oaks.
Westover looks to have more tactical speed and should be tough to beat, given he receives 11lb from Broome.
CLAYMORE
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam.
Race: Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15pm, York).
Claymore is hard to oppose in this contest. After disappointing in the French 2000 Guineas, he bounced right back to form with a smooth win in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, powering clear in fine style.
In receipt of the three-year-old allowance here, he should really kick on from that victory and land this event en route to loftier targets.
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