King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes: runner-by-runner guide
Danny Archer (DA) and Harry Allwood (HA) provide their verdict on all of the potential contenders in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes preview: Jess Stafford and Martin Dwyer give their verdict on the Ascot showpiece
1. Bolshoi Ballet
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 80-1.
Won the Belmont Derby in 2021 after suffering a heavy defeat, when sent off at 11-8, in the Derby at Epsom but failed to land a blow at the highest level afterwards.
Ran only once in 2022 before enduring another lengthy absence, and returned to action at Navan in April where he looked in need of the outing.
Has gone close on his two starts since - at Listed and Group Three level - but that form falls short of what others have achieved this year.
His best form has also been on top of the ground, so conditions are a big concern. (HA)
2. Broome
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 66-1.
Admirable performer who has won plus finished runner-up on three occasions from 18 starts at Group One level.
His past five outings at the highest level have been disappointing, though, and he was a well-beaten fourth behind Pyledriver in this contest 12 months ago.
This seven-year-old does have form on soft ground and stays further than this trip (he was successful over two miles at Meydan in March), so won't be hindered if this does become a real test of stamina due to the conditions.
However, he still needs a few to underperform to go close and would be a surprise winner. (HA)
3. Deauville Legend
Trainer: James Ferguson. Best odds: 25-1.
Improving four-year-old who was beaten in a handicap off a rating of 89 at Royal Ascot in 2022 before progressing to win the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes.
James Ferguson's charge shaped better than the result suggests in the Melbourne Cup, his first start at Group One level, last year where he faded into fourth having raced keenly, and didn't quite get home in the conditions.
Shaped well on his return to action when fourth behind Pyledriver in the Hardwicke Stakes, which will have blown any cobwebs away, and should have more to offer this season with just nine runs under his belt.
Oisin Murphy is also a positive jockey booking, although soft ground will be a negative for his mount who has plenty to find on ratings, anyway. (HA)
4. Desert Crown
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute. Best odds: 13-2.
Impressed when winning the Derby at Epsom on his third outing last year, although was not seen again in 2022, and made a belated return to action when second in the Brigadier Gerard behind Hukum in May.
The lack of a recent run probably caught him out near the finish there as he travelled like the best horse, and connections would have undoubtedly left a bit to work on with bigger targets in mind.
That outing also suggested he still has all the ability he showcased last year, and remains with potential, but his recent setback, that ruled him out of Royal Ascot, has to be a negative ahead of a race of this nature.
That said, the vibes from his team have been positive this week, and Sir Michael Stoute has won this race six times. The Nathaniel colt will also be fresher than most of his rivals here who have endured hard races this season. (HA)
5. Hamish
Trainer: William Haggas. Best odds: 100-1.
Consistent performer who stays further than this trip plus has won twice on soft ground. He was also a narrow second on heavy ground last year, so conditions won't be an issue on Saturday, and he warmed up for this race with a workmanlike victory in the John Smith's Silver Cup.
That was his first start since winning the Ormonde Stakes, so was probably being used as a stepping stone to this race, and Hamish pushed Kyprios all the way when second in the Irish St. Leger, his first start at Group One level, last year.
His reserves of stamina will be a plus, and this test is sure to suit. Will need to improve to lower the colours of the leading protagonists, though. (HA)
6. Hukum
Trainer: Owen Burrows. Best odds: 4-1.
Group One winner who produced a career best to floor Pyledriver in last year's Coronation Cup, a performance that suggested he was of the highest calibre.
He was probably slightly flattered there as Pyledriver appeared to run below par, and another leading fancy failed to handle Epsom's undulations. The race was also run at a steady tempo before the pace quickened.
Owen Burrows' stable star was unlikely to race again afterwards due to suffering an injury, but returned to defeat Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard on his return to action, a race he will no doubt strip fitter from.
The six-year-old is now one of the highest rated contenders in the field, and his form on soft ground reads 131. One for the shortlist. (HA)
7. Luxembourg
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 20-1.
He perhaps doesn't boast the most glamorous profile or reputation but there's little to dislike about this rock-solid colt, now a three-time Group One winner and top-level scorer aged two, three and four plus one who is only 1lb inferior to stablemate Auguste Rodin on official ratings.
His latest success was in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and he has a notably good record at the Curragh (sole defeat on his return in a falsely-run Mooresbridge Stakes in May) and it's feasible he could utilise the trusty front-running tactics here that have served him so well at Irish Flat headquarters.
On balance, it seems more likely that he will be ridden with a bit more restraint now though as he steps up to 12 furlongs for just the second time. His sole outing over the distance was in the Arc last year, where he shaped quite well after going off at short odds and he did stick on to the line after being impeded late despite finishing lame.
Ryan Moore has ridden the Camelot colt on most starts and the top rider's likely absence to partner Auguste Rodin is a negative, but Luxembourg fully warrants his place here and, although this is his stiffest test to date - and by a fair margin - he could be a litle underestimated at 20-1 quotes. (HA)
8. Point Lonsdale
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 66-1.
Won his first two starts of the season in workmanlike fashion and held every chance in the Coronation Cup when soundly put in his place by Emily Upjohn.
Having given the initial impression that stepping up to 12 furlongs would eke out more improvement, that idea failed to bear fruit based on his Epsom run. A winner on heavy ground, he would certainly have no issues if more rain was to fall but he is tough to advise. (DA)
9. Pyledriver
Trainer: William Muir and Chris Grassick. Best odds: 7-1.
Defending champion who impressed when powering clear 12 months ago and he showed he is in fine heart when a game winner of the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, bringing his course figures to 1711.
This is undoubtedly a much deeper renewal, but it was a fine training performance to get him primed to score on his return and he cannot be discounted given his affinity for the track. He took a very keen hold last time out yet still had stamina in abundance to score, while he might just be helped by the hurly-burly of a bigger field than usual for this race.
All of his best form has come on a sounder surface, although he does boast one win on soft ground at Haydock to his name. (DA)
10. Simca Mille
Trainer: Stephane Wattel. Best odds: 33-1.
Stephane Wattel’s stable star is enjoying a fantastic season, landing a brace of Group Two events with a runner-up effort in the Group One Prix Ganay sandwiched in between.
A relentless galloper, he impressed when landing the Grand Prix de Chantilly last time but - as referenced by connections this week - deteriorating ground would be a major concern for his chances and others are preferred with rain forecast. (DA)
11. Westover
Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Best odds: 20-1.
Enigmatic character who captured the Irish Derby last term before blotting his copybook when pulling his chance away in last year’s King George.
He perhaps remained immature throughout the season and looked a different proposition when a good second to Equinox on his return in the Sheema Classic. Despite defeat to Emily Upjohn in the Coronation Cup, he looked to really come of age when landing the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Ridden prominently there, he is another who would perhaps enjoy a good pace up front given he does possess a potent turn of foot.
That sub-par effort at Ascot last term has to be a slight concern, but he looks a stronger and more mature horse this year and he is not discounted. (DA)
12. Emily Upjohn
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden. Best odds: 5-1.
Like Westover, she disappointed in this race 12 months ago when a well-beaten last of six and, having pulled hard early, connections were at a loss as to why she had blotted her copybook.
She has highlighted her class in her three subsequent starts, though, with her Coronation Cup triumph on her penultimate run highlighting her ability to quicken off a steady pace and that could prove an important factor on Saturday. Her win on QIPCO British Champions Day came on rain-softened ground, but she is another who would not like the ground too testing.
She lost nothing in defeat dropped back down to 10 furlongs when giving 7lb to Paddington in the Coral-Eclipse last time and team Gosden have won this race five times in the last 11 years. (DA)
13. Adelaide River
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 25-1.
Criticism was laid at the door of rider Seamie Heffernan in the wake of his length-and-a-half defeat to stable companion Auguste Rodin in the Irish Derby and he proved that effort to be no fluke when second in the Grand Prix de Paris last time.
That run in France was a fine effort given he had to do most of the donkey work up front and the son of Australia is a model of consistency, having run eight times and only finishing out of the placings in the Epsom Derby.
He looks an obvious pace angle here, particularly since he will act on soft ground, and he is the type who could perhaps keep on into a place when others have cried enough. However, this is his third top-level event within the space of four weeks and there has to be a concern of this race catching up with him. (DA)
14. Auguste Rodin
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 7-2.
The son of Deep Impact has bounced back from 2000 Guineas disappointment with victories in the English and Irish Derbies and he has to be deeply respected for Aidan O'Brien as the trainer seeks a fourth win in the race.
His Irish Derby victory lacked the sparkle of some of his other performances, but Ryan Moore’s comments post-race suggest that the three-year-old merely did what he had to do in workmanlike style and connections remain adamant that he will continue to dazzle for the rest of the season.
He looks versatile tactically and his Vertem Futurity win at Doncaster showed he can handle soft ground, despite his difficulties at Newmarket on his seasonal return. Adayar (2021) and Galileo (2001) are the only horses this century to complete the Epsom Derby-King George double, but with O’Brien possibly running all five of his remaining entries in the contest, this could turn into a real test of stamina, something which Auguste Rodin looks to have in abundance. In receipt of weight from all of his main market rivals, bar King Of Steel, he has to be towards the top of the shortlist. (DA)
15. King Of Steel
Trainer: Roger Varian. Best odds: 7-2.
The “big horse” took a big step forward to fill the runner-up spot - beaten just half a length - in the Derby at Epsom behind Auguste Rodin and I think it was a sign of how talented he is that he managed to back up that career best with a commanding success in the King Edward VII Stakes.
Given his size and scope there is always the niggling worry of him being extremely hard to keep sound, but he was magnificent at Royal Ascot and travelled all over his rivals to put the race to bed in a matter of strides. He now needs to back that up reverting to Group One company, though Roger Varian must be commended for his handling of the horse so far.
A winner on soft ground on his debut, King Of Steel he did glide across a sounder surface at Ascot and Varian has been quick to quell concerns regarding his aptitude with wetter conditions underfoot. In receipt of weight from his rivals and clearly in a rich vein of form, he looks a joy to ride and will certainly be in there pitching at the business end of things. (DA)
Big-race verdict
Check back here on Thursday morning once we have the declarations a firmer idea of the weather forecast. If the big guns stand their ground, we are in for arguably the race of the season.
