Horse Power: Auguste Rodin can win the King George at Ascot
AUGUSTE RODIN can land victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (British Champions Series) (3.40pm) at Ascot on Saturday afternoon.
Aidan O’Brien’s dual Derby hero can beat his elders and land the prestigious Group One middle disance championship contest at the Berkshire track.
This season’s King George looks as good as renewal as for many years featuring Epsom Derby winner Auguste Rodin; last year’s hero, the admirable Pyledriver; as well as Derby runner-up and recent Royal Ascot winner King Of Steel; Coronation Cup heroine Emily Upjohn; last year’s Irish Derby and recent Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud scorer Westover; and the likes of much-older horses Hukum and course and distance winner Hamish, who have some top-class form in the book with the latter winning his last two in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester’s May Festival and at York earlier this month. Last year's Irish Champion Stakes hero Luxembourg, another Chester scorer Point Lonsdale and Bolshoi Ballet make up a four-strong team from the O'Brien stable. It looks a superb clash of the generations and Auguste Rodin should be the one to come out on top.
The son of Deep Impact left a massive impression when winning the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on his final juvenile start and talk was of him being a potential Triple Crown contender. A complete no-show in the first Classic of the season, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, was firmly put behind the Ballydoyle star at Epsom, when he looked a very smart winner of the Derby ahead of the reopposing King Of Steel. The latter franked the form with a fine victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at last month’s Royal meeting. And while Auguste Rodin was no more than workmanlike in landing a Derby double in the Irish version at the Curragh at the start of this month, he still remains a horse of huge potential on what will only be his third start over middle distances. The Classic colts’ generation look of high class this season with stable-mate Paddington beating his elders in the Eclipse Stakes, stepped up to 1m2f at Sandown last month. And getting a massive weight-for-age allowance of 11lb from most of his rivals, Auguste Rodin can hold off King Of Steel again to make it four wins at the top level in his past five starts.
Last year’s winner, the Willie Muir and Chris Grassick-trained Pyledriver – who seems to be overlooked in the betting markets on most of his runs – is a hugely consistent performer at the top level and at Ascot, where he also won at the Royal meeting as a three-year-old. He is sure to be in the mix to land back-to-back victories. But he may have to play second fiddle to the three-year-olds with Auguste Rodin getting the vote for victory ahead of King Of Steel.
The Charlie Appleby-trained DAZZLING STAR, under Liverpool FC fan William Buick, can win the Group Three Bateaux London Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (1.50pm). The daughter of Blue Point was off the mark at the second attempt at Newmarket at the end of last month, winning well over six furlongs. With the Appleby stable’s form picking up Dazzling Star may score again stepped up to Group Three company for the first time.
Johnny Murtagh’s hat-trick seeking CADEAU BELLE can grab that third straight success in the Group Three Longines Valiant Stakes (2.25pm). The three-year-old daughter of Harry Angel won at Gowran Park in May before doubling up when stepped up to Listed company at Navan last month. She can go in again ahead of chiefly fellow Irish raider, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Thornbrook.
Michael Dods’ NORTHERN EXPRESS can land the always-competitive Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (3pm). The five-year-old won for a second time this season when beating the reopposing Vafortino at York earlier this month and looks capable of going in again despite a 3lb penalty for that success. The aforementioned Vafortino, the Muir and Grassick-trained course and distance winner Top Secret, Ralph Beckett’s recent Bunbury Cup hero Biggles and another who goes well at Ascot – James Fanshawe’s Fresh – are others to consider in a wide-open renewal.
Others who may score at Ascot are Appleby’s hat-trick seeking ANCIENT WISDOM in the Listed Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes (Formerly The Winkfield Stakes) (4.15pm); another looking for a third success in a row, the Ed Bethell-trained LOWTON in the Betfred Handicap (4.50pm); ISLE OF LISMORE, from the Robert Cowell stable, in the finale – the Whispering Angel Handicap (5.25pm); and Andrew Balding’s newcomer FIRST DEMON in the opener, the British EBF Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes (Not Run More Than Once) (1.15pm).
At York Owen Burrows’ smart ALFLAILA, who makes his return after 294 days off, should be ready to run a big race in the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15pm). If he is fully ready for his return the four-year-old can upset favourite My Prospero and triumph.
Karl Burke’s LETHAL LEVI has been threathening to land another decent sprint prize and may do so in the Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.40pm). The four-year-old won two six-furlong handicaps at Newmarket last year and ran well in defeat over course and distance at York in May. He disappointed at Royal Ascot next time, but his recent third at Newcastle suggests his winning chance may not be far away.
Champion National Hunt jockey Brian Hughes may triumph in the opener, the Sky Bet ‘Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe’ Handicap (To Be Ridden By Professional Jump Jockeys) (2.05pm) on board Kevin Ryan’s recent Beverley winner SOUND REASON.
Phil Kirby’s RED FORCE ONE won the the Sky Bet Prize Drop Handicap (4.35pm) last year, bringing up a hat-trick on the Flat. And having been running over jumps with some success since, and despite being higher in the handicap can go in again back on the level.
Others who can win on the Knavesmire are the Richard Fahey-trained BLUE PRINCE in the 50K Itv7 Weekly Jackpot Nursery Handicap (4pm); his stable-mate CRAVEN in the finale, the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap (5.45pm); and Brian Ellison's course and distance scorer CORMIER in the Betting Better With Sky Bet Handicap (5.10pm).
At Newmarket Rae Guest’s BONDI BAY – a winner at Ripon and Nottingham – can land the treble in the Vist RacingTV.com Handicap (3.25pm). Others who may win at Headquarters are Terry Kent’s OBSIDIAN KNIGHT in the Join Racing TV Handicap (2.50pm); and the James Evans-trained JUSTCALLMEPETE in the Discover Every Race Live on Racing TV Handicap (4.10pm).
Wright Ones
ASCOT
1.15pm Fire Demon
1.50pm Dazzling Star
2.25pm Cadeau Belle
3pm Northern Express
3.40m 1 AUGUSTE RODIN (NAP) 2 King Of Steel 3 Pyledriver
4.15pm Ancient Wisdom
4.50pm Lowton
5.25pm Isle Of Lismore
YORK
2.05pm Sound Reason
2.40pm Lethal Levi
3.15pm Alflaila
4pm Blue Prince
4.35pm Red Force One
5.10pm Cormier
5.45pm Craven
NEWMARKET
2.15pm Aablan
2.50pm Obsidian Knight
3.25pm Bondi Bay
4.10pm Justcallmepete
4.45pm Isle Of Jura
5.20pm May Blossom
NEWCASTLE
2pm Broctune Red
2.35pm Tuneful
3.10pm Victoriano
3.55pm Alumnus
4.25pm Miami Thunder
5pm Non Mollare
5.35pm Mr Strutter
WINDSOR
6pm Abate
6.30pm Nazron
7pm Empire Of Light
7.30pm Airshow
8pm Flying Spirit
8.30pm Solution
SALISBURY
6.15pm Klip Klopp
6.45pm Task Force
7.15pm Thank The Lord
7.45pm Primeval
8.15pm De Bruyne
8.45pm Graham
SUNDAY’S NAP: Muatadel (Pontefract 5.10pm)
