World Pool tips for King George day on Saturday

Stellar King George puts Ascot right back on the World stage

Seven G1 scorers including a dual Derby winner, an Irish Champion winner, last year’s King George hero, the last three Coronation Cup victors and last year’s Irish Derby winner. This year’s King George is a humdinger and the World Pool is back for a card that holds abundant potential for those who find the answers to eight demanding punting puzzles.

Greatwood Crocker Bulteel Maiden (1.15)

The fact that Richard Hannon has won this six times in the last eight years means Timebar is worth noting in the market but this looks more one for paddock watchers than form book players. Kodiac Thriller looks a key player after coming home strongly on his Windsor debut but this is a low-key opener from a punting standpoint.

Bateaux London Princess Margaret Stakes (1.50)

Another tricky contest to assess, with few proven Group race fillies on show and uncertainty about soft ground for some. Pretty Crystal’s staying-on fifth in the Albany Stakes here is the best form on offer but it’s tempting to think a couple of once-raced fillies cam make a mark and LUNAR SHINE and SYMBOLOGY fit the bill.

Lunar Shine is bred to be useful and looked it on her Thirsk debut, forging clear on ground that was much more testing than the official good. She should go well at a fair price, while SYMBOLOGY was well backed for her York debut and justified the faith in the style of one who’s well worth this step up in class.

Longines Valiant Stakes (2.25)

Random Harvest and Ameynah have the highest ratings in the race – 108 and 107 – but it could pay to dig a little deeper in search of a couple of value options and CADEAU BELLE and ROMAN MIST both have a fair bit to recommend them.

Cadeau Belle is two from two in Ireland, handling soft ground very well on her Gowran debut before taking a big step forward in a Navan Listed race last month, forging clear of a useful rival who has run very well in G3 company since. She’s a strong galloper who could prove very much at home over this stiff mile, while Roman Mist is much better than her last two form figures suggest and highly effective in the mud.

Moet & Chandon Handicap (3.00)

Ascot form tends to come to the fore in these cavalry charges and there’s an abundance on show here, with STAR OF ORION, FRESH, BARADAR and BIGGLES heading a short list for the most open race of the day.

Ryan Moore’s presence aboard Biggles will ensure he corners a fair slice of the World Pool market and Ralph Beckett’s gelding is in the form of his life after a decisive Bunbury Cup success at Newmarket. He’s an obvious place chance but stablemate Star of Orion, who was beaten a short head in this race in 2021, is flying under the radar after his recent emphatic HQ success. He looks every bit as appealing as the likely favourite at a much bigger price.

Fresh’s Ascot record form is hard to fault and he’s only 3lb higher than when short heading Bless Him in this race twelve months ago. A strong-finishing fifth in the Wokingham over six ought to set him up perfectly for a race that plays to his strengths very well indeed, while this week’s rain is a huge plus for Baradar, who’s very fairly treated at his best and also has the added angle of cheekpieces for the first time.

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.40)

How can you be confident when BHA ratings show seven horses separated by just 5lb? You can’t is the short answer – and I won’t be going in heavy as a result - but I like EMILY UPJOHN, WESTOVER AUGUSTE RODIN and HUKUM in that order.

Emily has settled down considerably since pulling too hard in this race last year and her commanding Coronation Cup defeat of Westover gives her a very solid chance of giving Frankie a record eighth KG success.

Auguste Rodin looked very good at Epsom and could be a fair bit better than he showed in a messy Irish Derby. Hukum is battle-hardened with high-class soft ground form and a strong Ascot record, while Westover needs a lifetime best to go close at this exalted level but might just be ready to produce it. Ralph Beckett’s powerful Frankel colt will be better equipped than most if Ballydoyle pacemakers turn this into a war of attrition and, given the way the track was riding on Friday, he looks one of the strongest longshots on the card.

Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes (4.15)

Charlie Appleby has won three of the last four renewals of this Listed race and the impeccably-bred 2m Euro yearling ANCIENT WISDOM is very much the one to beat after following a runaway Haydock debut success by giving 6lb and a decisive beating to a useful prospect at Newmarket.

The odds will be nothing flash given his profile and connections but he rates clear top of the short list with impressive debut winners Rosallion, Alyanaabi and Sunway preferred in that order as potential Quinella and Trio candidates.

Betfred Handicap (4.50)

LATTAM is one of the most interesting handicappers on the card. World Pool punters won’t miss him with Moore booked but William Haggas’s gelding has strong soft ground form and looked better than ever when swooping late in a bunched finish on the AW at Newcastle.

The fact that Lattam proved well treated in a race that didn’t seem to play to his strengths is highly encouraging and he’s surely still well weighted from a 1lb higher mark. Everything looks in place for another bold effort, while proven soft ground performers GHALY and EMPIRESTATEOFMIND look the pair to focus on as place and Quinella candidates.

Whispering Angel Handicap (5.25)

It’s possible to make a solid case for at least half a dozen here including Royal meeting winner Rhythm N Hooves and recent course and distance scorer The Big Board.

Last year’s winner Call Me Ginger has questions to answer after failing to go in the stalls that day but stablemate ROCK MELODY has been consistent and progressive of late and the addition of a handy 7lb claimer in William Pyle makes her an intriguing win and place contender at what ought to be a fair price.

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