Saturday 27th July 2024
King George Day Preview
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates)
Feature Meetings: Ascot, York
1.50 Ascot: Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes: We get things underway for this week’s Saturday Preview on King George Day with the 1.50 at Ascot which is the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes over six furlongs. I think that this can go to Simmering who represents the combination of Ollie Sangster and Ryan Moore. She’s still chasing her first victory, however, sets the standard on the back of her fine second behind Fairy Godmother at Royal Ascot in the Albany Stakes. If she runs up to that sort of level again here she’ll be tough to beat. Simmering – 13/8 (Win) (NAP)
2.25 Ascot: Longines Valiant Stakes: I’m staying at Ascot for my second selection of the afternoon and this comes in the 2.25 which is the Group 3 Valiant Stakes for fillies & mates over the mile. I’m siding with Friendly Soul here for John & Thady Gosden who’s the mount of Kieran Shoemark. Her effort in the Musidora Stakes at York last time out was too bad to be true in my opinion, she seemed to get very restless and didn’t appear to enjoy herself at all. That run may have come too soon though and now having had a break could continue her progression from her impressive victory at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly Stakes back in May. Friendly Soul – 5/1 (Each-Way)
2.40 York: Sky Bet Dash Handicap: It’s over to York now for the 2.40 which is the Sky Bet Dash, a Class 2 handicap over six furlongs. I’m with Trefor in this competitive sprint for the team of Charlie Hills and Callum Shepherd. He arrives here in great form having won his last two outings, with his most recent successes being a three-length victory at Newmarket last month. A six-pound rise may not be enough to halt his current rate of progression, and the majority of his rivals are coming into the race with questions to answer. Trefor – 4/1 (Win)
3.00 Ascot: Moet & Chandon International Stakes: My fourth selection of the afternoon comes within more competitive handicap action in the 3.00 at Ascot which is the International Stakes over seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Fresh here for James Fanshawe and Billy Loughlane, who’s currently trading at a best price of 10/1. He’s somewhat of an Ascot specialist and posted his best effort for a while last time out when finishing second here earlier this month. He’ll contest this off the same mark as that last outing which is eleven pounds lower than his last winning one, he also tasted success in this contest two years ago. Fresh – 10/1 (Each-Way)
3.15 York: Sky Bet York Stakes: We move back up in grade now at York with the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’ve gone with King’s Gambit here for Harry Charlton and Callum Shepherd. He was very impression when winning the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his penultimate outing, and was unlucky not to follow up when stepped up in grade at Royal Ascot in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes. He had to come from a long way back that day and was only denied by three-quarters of a length when eventually finishing second to Jayarebe. I think there’s a lot more to come from him and he could well showcase that here. King’s Gambit – 3/1 (Win)
3.40 Ascot: King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes: Signing us off for this week is the feature which is the Group 1 King Geroge VI Stakes that’s contested over a mile and four furlongs. In this year’s renewal of the race, I think it can be success for Ballydoyle with Auguste Roden who’s trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore. He bounced back to form when winning the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and should be spot on for this. He should also have a fast surface here which he relishes and if he does turn up at the top of his game I think they’ll struggle to get the better of him. Auguste Rodin – 6/4 (Win) (NB)
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