Calandagan, Masquerade Ball and a Ballydoyle quartet headline a scintillating renewal of the King George from Ascot – live on Sky Sports Racing.
3.35 Ascot – Calandagan and Masquerade Ball among vintage field
A red-hot renewal of this Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes sees last year’s winner Calandagan headline a field of nine.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s stable star finished last season as the world’s best racehorse and has followed a similar path this. Having claimed the Dubai Sheema Classic in Meydan, he was beaten on soft ground at Epsom before bouncing back to land the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. That was a sixth top-level success, and he sets a high standard under Mickael Barzalona.
Last year’s Tenno Sho scorer Masquerade Ball was just a head behind Calandagan in the Japan Cup in November and returned with a solid second behind Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong. That was over 10 furlongs, and he will appreciate the extra distance. Doubts remain about his suitability to the track, but there is no doubt he is a top class operator and Japan have high hopes he will be the one to finally end their King George hoodoo.
Kalpana and Goliath are closely matched on their Hardwicke placed efforts, while Aidan O’Brien saddles four runners, headlined by Benvenuto Cellini. A winner of the Irish Derby on his last outing, he ought to have more to offer as he tackles his elders for the first time, with the booking of Ryan Moore potentially telling.
2.55 Ascot – Progressive Mezcala and Extremely Zain fancied
Mezcala and Extremely Zain feature among a field of 17 for this valuable Moet & Chandon International Handicap at 2.55pm.
Extremely Zain arrives unbeaten in three starts, looking a Group horse in the making when readily defying a mark of 93 at York. The handicapper has reacted with an 8lb rise but this is likely to be his last start in handicaps, and he has options from stall eight under Tom Marquand, who replaces Cieren Fallon in the plate.
Extremely Zain returns to action on Saturday
Jack Channon’s Mezcala took the Spring Mile earlier in the season and showed a good turn of foot to claim the Buckingham Palace Stakes on his last start. He makes obvious appeal from stall 13 with George Bass in the saddle.
Completely Random was only just denied in the Wokingham over six furlongs here last time and he looks the type to improve for this extra furlong with Ryan Moore a notable booking.
Back In Black and Aalto complete a long shortlist, with the latter effectively 3lb well in after Bunbury Cup victory the last day. The same can be said for Amazing Journey, who steps up in trip after taking top honours in Class 3 handicap company at Ascot when last seen.
2.20 Ascot – Touleen a hot favourite for the Owen Burrows team
An excellent field has assembled for this Group 3 Valiant Stakes, where all eyes will be on Touleen as she drops in class.
Owen Burrows’ three-year-old suffered no luck in running when a fast-finishing runner-up in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and takes on her elders for the first time with William Buick replacing Saffie Osborne. She’s 7lb clear on official ratings and ought to prove hard to beat if granted a clear passage.
Touleen flies the flag for Shadwell this afternoon
Skydance was last seen beating subsequent Oaks heroine Thundering On in a maiden at Leopardstown and this classy filly remains capable of better with the layoff the only slight concern.
Kon Tiki produced a career best when fourth behind Blue Bolt in a strong running of the Duke Of Cambridge at the Royal meeting and she must be respected in this grade.
Sukanya and Esna rate each-way players.
Best of the rest
Ascot also plays host to the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes at 1.45pm, with Dark Issue and Alta Regina towards the head of the betting for a classy renewal of this fillies’ contest. Moonrise was unlucky not to get her head in front in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and is also worthy of consideration for the Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding team.
Blue RC, Urban Lion and Crown Board all line up for the 4.45pm Betfred Handicap, with Asmen Warrior also holding claims for the James Owen team.
Elsewhere, Chester hosts action with Sea Idol the pick of six runners assembled for the IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Maiden Stakes (3.10pm). The feature on the card is the 3.48pm Wilson Family Handicap, with the Wathnan-owned Postmodern fancied to go close for the Hamad Al Jehani.
At Lingfield, Charlie Appleby fields the Godolphin-owned Catching Dreams in the RJB Agri EBF Novice Stakes (7.00pm). This Showcasing colt could go well on debut for a stable on song.
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