That fact that multiple Group One winners Luxembourg and Westover are available at double-figure odds for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday underlines the exceptional strength in depth in this year’s field, and even in the late absence of Desert Crown, last year’s Derby winner, this still promises to be one of the best renewals of the midsummer showpiece for manyyears.
Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel, separated by just half a length when first and second respectively in last month’s Derby at Epsom, head a strong three-year-old challenge, while Emily Upjohn, Hukum and last year’s 18-1 winner, Pyledriver, who are also priced up at single-figure odds, all have Group One-winning form at the 12-furlong trip.
There is a strong case to be made for all five horses at the top of the betting, while only three of the 11 runners can be ruled out with any real confidence.
The runner with the most scope for progress, though, is surely King Of Steel (3.40), who will be making just the fifth start of his career. Roger Varian’s colt was a 66-1 shot for the Derby but looked the likeliest winner when he shot clear two furlongs out, before being reeled in close to home by Auguste Rodin.
That was his first start of the season, and he showed the benefit – while also proving that his Epsom run was no fluke – with a three-and-a-half-length success in the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting last month.
King Of Steel is improving with every start and looks over-priced at around 9-2 to take another step forward on Saturday.
Ascot 1.50 Plenty of potentially useful juvenile fillies on show, with Lunar Shine perhaps the pick of the prices at around 12-1 after an impressive winning debut at Thirsk last month.
York 2.05 A wide-open jump jockeys’ sprint race, but Soul Seeker deserves a second look having won this unusual event off a 17lb higher mark two seasons ago.
Ascot 1.15 Aljezur 1.50 Lunar Shine 2.25 Ameynah 3.00 Vafortino (nap) 3.40 King Of Steel (nb) 4.15 Dancing Gemini 4.50 Lattam 5.25 Significantly
Newcastle 2.00 Broctune Red 2.35 American Glory 3.10 Steel Helmet 3.55 Alumnus 4.25 Berkshire Phantom 5.00 Streetscape 5.35 Mr Strutter
York 2.05 Soul Seeker 2.40 Aberama Gold 3.15 Royal Champion 4.00 The Good Biscuit 4.35 Golden Shot 5.10 Whatacracker 5.45 Just Janet
Newmarket 2.15 Magsood 2.50 Lion Kingdom 3.25 Sharp Power 4.10 Coco Bear 4.45 Juryman 5.20 May Blossom
Windsor 6.00 Abate 6.30 Meet Me In Meraki 7.00 Shayekh 7.30 Airshow 8.00 Flying Spirit 8.30 Fravanco
Salisbury 6.15 Villalobos 6.45 Hedge Fund 7.15 Imperiousity 7.45 Primeval 8.15 Beau Jardine 8.45 True Legend
Ascot 2.25 Ameynah is unraced since finishing sixth in last year’s 1,000 Guineas on just the third start of her career but will be tough to beat if anywhere close to that level.
York 2.40 If he can build on a promising start for David O’Meara, Aberama Gold will surely go close with promising apprentice Mark Winn taking off 3lb.
Ascot 3.00 Kaiya Fraser’s 5lb claim could be just what track-and-trip winner Vafortino needs to get his head in front for the first time this season.
York 3.15 Royal Champion is lightly raced for a five-year-old and will be a serious rival for My Prospero, the likely favourite, if he can build on his Listed race success at the royal meeting.
