Red Hand: Hukum can be the King George best at Ascot
It appears to be a truly top-class renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot, with Hukum backed to emerge victorious in a proper battle of the generations.
With the Derby one-two, Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel, both in contention, not to mention defending champion Pyledriver and top-class filly Emily Upjohn, the 12-furlong contest really looks to be one of the highlights of the summer.
Preference is just for Hukum (right), who will have conditions in his favour.
The six-year-old’s crowning moment came in the Coronation Cup last term, when he beat Pyledriver by just over four lengths, unfortunately suffering a season-ending injury in the process.
Nursed back to health by Owen Burrows, Hukum looked up against it dropping back to 10 furlongs in the Brigadier Gerard on his return to action in May, but he showed improved form to claim the notable scalp of 2022 Derby hero Desert Crown by half-a-length.
Hukum then sidestepped Royal Ascot due to unsuitable ground – a decision which could pay rich dividends here with rain having arrived over the last week.
This full brother to Baaeed will have to raise his game again to take home the prize, but the fact he sits on his highest ever mark perhaps best demonstrates how his star has continued to rise.
Cadeau Belle has been on a swift upward trajectory with the Longines Valiant Stakes looking a logical next step for the Irish raider.
She has won each of her two career starts, landing a Gowran maiden in May before tackling a Listed contest at Navan last month.
Johnny Murtagh’s charge made short work of some older rivals that day, with the second, Cigamia, giving the form a boost when subsequently second in a Group Three contest.
Tried at that same level here, this trip of just short of a mile on ground with some cut looks ideal.
Pretty Crystal outran her 33/1 odds at the Royal meeting and should put up another bold show in the Bateaux London Princess Margaret Stakes.
She won at Ripon on her debut but took a leap forward in finishing fifth in the Albany Stakes, beaten three-and-a-half lengths as she just lacked a bit of toe in the final furlong.
The form has worked out well since, with runner-up Matrika and fourth-placed Persian Dreamer both winning Group prizes and Pretty Crystal looks a filly on the up.
Sunway can make a successful switch to Listed company in the Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes.
A €300,000 full brother to Sealiway, Sunway made quite a splash on his racecourse bow when breezing home by three-and-a-quarter lengths at Sandown last month.
The form has not been particularly well advertised, but Sunway was a cut above them all and looks to have a big future for David Menuisier.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
NAP Hukum (3.40: Ascot)
DOUBLE Cadeau Belle (2.25: Ascot)
TREBLE Pretty Crystal (1.50: Ascot)
