*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Ascot stages the race of the season so far as a quality field of 11 horses take their place in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 15:40 on Saturday.
The key storyline of the multi-generation clash is the rematch between the first two home in the Epsom Derby, Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel. There was half a length between the pair in the Classic but the Amo Racing beast has progressed at a rapid rate and a stonking success in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot has punters thinking he can reverse the form.
Pyledriver represents the pick of the older horses on ratings and last year’s shock 18/1 winner is bidding to retain his crown after making a successful reappearance over course and distance in last month’s Hardwicke.
Emily Upjohn also brings course-and-distance form to the table and is bidding to bounce back to winning ways after being narrowly denied by star of the season, Paddington, in the Coral-Eclipse.
The sheer level of quality continues with Hukum heading into this off the back of a career-best effort when downing Desert Crown, Westover remains a classy performer off a rating of 119, while Luxembourg has plenty of smart form in the book. Bolshoi Ballet, Deauville Legend, Hamish and Point Lonsdale complete the fantastic field.
The latest King George VI odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
King George VI tips
Timeform: An excellent renewal with 7 of the runners already a winner at the highest level. KING OF STEEL isn’t one of them but he arguably has the most potential in the field and can reverse Derby placings with Auguste Rodin, who made heavy weather of following up his Epsom victory at the Curragh. Strong claims can also be made for high-class older horses Emily Upjohn and Hukum.
King George VI runners
Bolshoi Ballet
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 2
Belmont Derby winner in 2021 but winless since and not up to this.
*
Deauville Legend
Trainer: James Ferguson Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 9
Most progressive last year, winning twice at Group level (including Great Voltigeur at York) before excellent fourth of 22 in Melbourne Cup on final outing. Respectable 2¾ lengths fourth to Pyledriver in Hardwicke Stakes at this C&D on return 5 weeks ago but big step forward required here.
**
Hamish
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 7 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 7
Very smart gelding who landed the Group 3 Ormonde at Chester for the second year running on his reappearance in May. Narrowly defied penalty in Group 3 at York since but vulnerable at this level over a distance short of his optimum.
*
Hukum
Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 6 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 4
Very smart and likeable type who gained his first success at the highest level in the Coronation Cup at Epsom (1½m, good) last summer. First outing since when claiming the scalp of last year’s Derby winner Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1¼m) in May. Sure to go well again.
****
Luxembourg
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 1
Left reappearance run behind when recording a third success at the top level (one in each season to date) in Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, seen to good effect from the front. However, was beaten 4 lengths when runner-up in Prince of Wales’s Stakes here since.
***
Point Lonsdale
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Adam Kirby Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 5
Low-mileage 4-y-o who has resumed better than ever this spring with successes in 10f Alleged Stakes at the Curragh and Huxley Stakes at Chester. However, limitations exposed back at this level when 9¼ lengths third of 5 to Emily Upjohn in Coronation Cup at Epsom (12f, good to firm) 57 days ago.
*
Pyledriver
Trainer: William Muir & Chris Grassick Jockey: P. J. McDonald Age: 6 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 6
Career best when winning this race last year. First run since when recording his third C&D win in Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal Meeting 5 weeks ago despite taking a while to settle. Must be respected.
****
Westover
Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rob Hornby Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 10
High-class 3-y-o who was third in the Derby before landing the Irish equivalent last summer. At least as good this season, unsuited by emphasis on speed when second to Emily Upjohn in Coronation Cup at Epsom before landing odds in Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud 3 weeks ago. Not taken lightly.
***
Emily Upjohn
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 4 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 8
Most unlucky in the Oaks last summer, stumbling at start and forced wide. Signed off 2022 with an emphatic success in Fillies and Mares over C&D. Took form to another level when making impressive winning return in Coronation Cup at Epsom and lost nothing in defeat in Eclipse 3 weeks ago. Big shout.
****
Auguste Rodin
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 11
Comfortable winner of Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (heavy) final start at 2 yrs. Ran no sort of race when favourite for 2000 Guineas but back with a bang when winning the Derby at Epsom by ½ length from King of Steel. Landed odds in Irish Derby since, albeit made heavy weather of it. Strong claims.
****
King Of Steel
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Kevin Stott Age: 3 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 3
Impressive debut winner at Nottingham who found the Futurity all too much just 10 days later but massive improvement on return for a new yard when finding only Auguste Rodin too good in the Derby, going clear briefly but collared late. Easy winner of Group 2 at Royal Ascot since and more to come.
*****
Read More on the King George VI
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the King George VI? Ascot date, start time, runners and betting
- King George VI trends and stats for Ascot 3.40 on Saturday
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