Ascot Horse Racing - The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 2 hours ago

Simon Lewis 2 hours ago

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Calandagan has the best odds of the day at 2.62.
Masquerade Ball is the second favourite at 5.00.
Benvenuto Cellini is a good bet at 6.00
The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the feature race this Saturday at the King George Weekend at Ascot.

Racing at Ascot (Getty Images).

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

King George Weekend reaches its peak at Ascot on Saturday with the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, one of the great midsummer tests of European middle-distance racing. Run over just short of a mile and a half, the Group 1 contest brings together proven older horses, high-class international raiders and ambitious younger contenders in a race that often helps define the season’s top middle-distance performer.

Calandagan is the clear standard-setter and heads the market after winning this race last year. He has an outstanding Ascot record, including success in the Champion Stakes, and arrives as the horse they all have to beat if he reproduces anything close to his best form.

An international flavour

Masquerade Ball gives the race major international intrigue. The Japanese runner was narrowly denied by Calandagan in last year’s Japan Cup and has since finished second to Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong, making him a fascinating challenger on British soil.

Benvenuto Cellini looks the leading three-year-old hope. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt won the Irish Derby at the Curragh and receives weight from the older horses, while Ryan Moore’s decision to ride him adds further interest.

Other strong runners to watch

Minnie Hauk is another major player for Ballydoyle. A high-class filly who won the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks last season, she shaped well at Royal Ascot and should be suited by stepping back up to this trip.

Kalpana and Goliath add further depth, with both already proven at Ascot. However, this looks likely to revolve around whether Calandagan can defend his crown against the Japanese threat of Masquerade Ball and the Classic generation challenge of Benvenuto Cellini.

Gate	Horse	Age	Odds
7	Calandagan	5	2.62
4	Masquerade Ball	4	5.00
9	Benvenuto Cellini	3	6.00
1	Minnie Hauk	4	7.50
5	Goliath	6	11.00
6	Kalpana	5	11.00
3	Wurttemberg	6	51.00
2	Lambourn	4	101.00
8	Action	3	151.00