We’re about mid-way through the Flat season and Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and next week’s Glorious Goodwood are real high points on the summer schedule.
The ground looks like it’s playing its part and hopefully it stays that way so the proper good-ground speedsters get their chance to shine.
And let’s play our part by making sure we’re on …
Wings of Desire, Ascot 4.30pm
The King George VI Stakes is the day’s feature. Not many fool his trainer big Johnny G but this lad was taken out of the Epsom Derby early on and then had to be supplemented after he won York’s Dante Stakes tidily.
He’s the only three-year-old in the line-up so gets lumps of weight – 12lbs – off the others. He didn’t look experienced enough in the Derby but his Dante form is rock solid with runner-up Deauville (another Derby flop) winning a Group One in the States.
Frankie Dettori is on board and will want to atone for getting beaten on Eagle Top for the same connections last year.
Gallop over to all the latest betting on PP.com
Time Test, York 3.35pm
On ratings Roger Charlton’s colt has to bolt up in this at odds on … provided he gets his required good ground. Connections are taking no chances though as they are flying the multiple Irish champ Pat Smullen over to do the steering. Nice work if you can get it!!
Lexington Abbey, York, 4.10pm
Could be a profitable day for Smullen as he again gets the leg up on this lad for the Kevin Ryan team. He ran a cracker for Pat at Ascot and the step up to 6f is just perfect. Ground conditions are fine for him and Kevin’s in good form but just needs a little luck to get one in front as he’s had more seconds and thirds this year.
It’s his time for some rub of the green.
Folkswood, Ascot 3.20pm
The assessor didn’t miss him for his return win at Newmarket and he’s been upped 9lbs. He was a bit of a talking horse among the Newmarket work watchers as the potential Group horse in a handicap but disappointed back in eighth place behind Defrocked.
His maiden win came on fast ground and that’s what we are hoping for here on Saturday. It’s only his fifth race so he’s potentially still got plenty of improvement left in the locker.
Bossy Guest, Ascot 3.55pm
He looks fairly treated coming in here off two very solid runs. His Royal Hunt Cup effort was respectable when sixth to Portage and despite being down the field in the 7f Bunbury Cup last time he flashed home late on – but this stiffer track can suit.
He’s proven over Ascot’s course and distance when finishing third in the Jersey Stakes last year. The champ Ryan Moore is back on board and that’s always good. Right?