3 minute read

To give it its full name the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

It's G1 over 2400m and is probably the best race in the UK this year to date.  Favourite is one of our favourite horses August Rodin and as a son of Deep Impact we have to go for him here even though the odds are very tight (5/4) and he has been known to throw in the odd bad race.  He won't have it all his own way and although they have put in Hans Anderson as a pacemaker that doesn't always work.  Rebel's Romance is the main rival and he's travelled – and won – all over the world and is on 7/2 which is value.  Bluestocking has been a reliable conveyance for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan but is probably not quite up on a par with the first two and 9/2 probably generous.  We prefer Dubai Honour for William Haggas and Tom Marquand who is coming back into top form following a recent win in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud and 16/1 seems well-worthy of at least an each-way.

Earlier in the card there's a couple of G3s, the first one being the Princess Margaret for the 2yo fillies over 1200m, 8 of whom are heading for the run.  The well-named Simmering (by Too Darn Hot) is from Ollie Sangster's "boutique" yard and with Ryan Moore on board they head the call on 13/8.  Mandurah is a Kingsman filly with the Crisfords and Harry Davies riding on 10/3 and there's a Royal runner here in Handcuffed, a Dark Angel filly owned by their Majesties with Andrew Balding training and Oisin Murphy riding – she's on 11/2 and one wonders if the handcuffing and a march to the Tower will follow for the trainer and jockey should she not do well.

The Valiant Stakes is for f&m over 1600m on the round course with 8 set to run.  Godolphin's Devoted Queen is on 9/4 for Appleby-Buick and we rather like Soprano on 3/1 for Boughey-Loughnane with Friendly Soul on 4/1 for the Gosdens and Shoemark.