Westover is the prime candidate from the Classic generation among a six-strong field for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.
The Irish Derby hero tops the market for the Ascot showpiece at 6-5, from Emily Upjohn (2-1) who bids to match Taghrooda and Enable - fillies to win it for trainer John Gosden in recent years.
Unfortunate Coral-Eclipse runner-up Mishriff is number one in the older brigade and he obtained the same position in last year's version of the weekend highlight. Supported into 3-1 from 4-1 this week, there is a strong feeling that the globetrotting five-year-old can give the weight away to the youngsters.
Ground conditions may be too quick for last year's Arc winner Torquator Tasso, although he looked in rude health when scoring with stacks to spare in Germany last time. Pyledriver and Broome, both Group 1 winners, complete the line-up in what looks a fascinating contest.
King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes runner guide
Broome - Posted career best effort under a canny Ryan Moore ride when winning the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. That form has been done no favours by the second and third since and he looks up against it on these terms.
Mishriff - Runner-up to Derby winner Adayar in this race 12 months ago. Arguably comes into this year's renewal in much better form having run a mighty race in defeat in the Coral-Eclipse last time. Conditions ideal and looks the one the three-year-olds have got to beat. James Doyle rides for the first time.
Pyledriver - Sole Group 1 success came in 2021 Coronation Cup at Epsom. Plenty of good form at the top level since and took the King Edward VII Stakes over this course and distance in 2020. Should race prominently and will need to be given an easy time of things to hold these off.
Torquator Tasso - Caused a huge shock when defying 80-1 odds to land last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Seemed to be right back on the wheel when running away with a Group 2 at Hamburg earlier this month. But peak form has come on ground with cut so conditions appear too quick unless they get some rain at Ascot.
Westover - Major eyecatcher in the Derby before making no mistake in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, where he powered to a seven-length victory under new rider Colin Keane. A strong stayer (favourite for the St Leger at this stage), the colt will be well suited by the galloping nature of this track. Three-year-olds don't have an inspired recent record in this race though, for all that last year's edition was won by a horse of that age.
Emily Upjohn - Only one of these yet to have scored at the top level. Could hardly have gone closer than when beaten a short-head in the Oaks at Epsom on the back of a tardy start. That went down as rather unfortunate and she would surely have gone one better in the Irish version had the recent trip not been aborted at the last minute. John Gosden has won this race with top class fillies in recent years, but there is not enough evidence in the book to suggest this candidate is of that class just yet.
Summary and tip
In receipt of so much weight, it is easy to make a strong case for the three-year-olds, both of whom will be suited by this test. They will need to be smart to take down last year's runner-up MISHRIFF, who comes here at the very top of his game after a scorching effort in the Coral-Eclipse. John Gosden's globetrotter would surely have won the Group 1 with a clear passage and he's taken to make amends over the extra yardage.
Latest King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes odds with Betfred
- 6-5 Westover
- 2-1 Emily Upjohn
- 7-2 Mishriff
- 14-1 Torquator Tasso
- 16-1 Broome
- 20-1 Pyledriver
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