Saturday afternoon (16h35) at Ascot sees the Classic generation take on their elders over a mile and a half at the highest level for the first time this season.
Six runners contest the prestigious Gr1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes sponsored by Qipco, with a £709,000 first prize.
This year’s contest may only field six, but they include the Arc winner, the Irish Derby winner, the Oaks runner-up and last year’s hero of the Juddmonte International.
Irish Derby winner Westover heads the market (11/8) off the back of his seven-length victory at the Curragh last month.
Westover is favourite to lift the lion’s share (Pic – British Champions Series)
The Juddmonte owned colt was unlucky in running at Epsom in his penultimate start, when finishing best, two and three-quarters behind Desert Crown. The strapping son of Frankel has confirmed his class at this level, stays the trip, and most importantly, receives an 11lbs weight for age allowance from his elders.
Second favourite, at around 9/4 is fellow three-year-old Emily Upjohn. She was unlucky in the Oaks at Epsom, finishing a short-head second after stumbling at the start. The daughter of Sea The Stars receives 3lbs from Westover and 14lbs from the older brigade. Frankie Dettori rides her, and in a small field with bottom weight where tactics are sure to play their part, she must be a big runner.
Arc winner Torquator Tasso seems to prefer soft to heavy ground if judged by his highest honours. His trainer stated earlier in the week that any rain would be greatly appreciated as the five-year-old is well in himself, but his main target is the defence of his title later in the year at ParisLongchamp.
Both Broome and Pyledriver would have to run far above their ratings to achieve success on Saturday and as both enjoy being ridden forward, they look to set this race up nicely for those in behind.
Star four-year-old and International winner Mishriff looked unlucky in the Coral-Eclipse last time out on his seasonal return. A fast finishing neck second behind Vadeni, this consistent performer at the highest level will be ridden by James Doyle for the first time. Truly at his best over 10 furlongs, he has his chance, but conceding weight over the extra ground will be no easy task.
Watch the King George runner-by-runner preview, courtesy Mike Cattermole:
In summary, an eagerly awaited contest looms, and given a positive ride by Irish champion jockey Colin Keane should see the Classic winning colt victorious from Emily Upjohn. If the rain does arrive as forecasted, the German raider Torquator Tasso could be in the mix.
Later on the card (17h10), the Listed Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes for juveniles runs over seven furlongs. A race that usually throws up a smart juvenile and Charlie Appleby has won two of the past three renewals. He saddles the Teofilo colt Naval Power who attempts to stretch his unbeaten run to three.
