King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes preview
July 24th 2009 07:05
Sir Michael Stoute appears to have a mortgage on the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes to be run at Ascot this Saturday. He is represented by three very strong chances - including the first and second favourites, Conduit and Tartan Bearer. He is also represented by the inform Ask who comes off a last start win in the Group One Coronation Cup when he defeated the perennial Group One bridesmaid Youmzain by a nose. Behind Ask on that occasion were other King George entrants Look Here - who finished a further nose behind in third place - and Frozen Fire who finished fifth.
(photo: Roger Bamber/Guardian)
Given the strength of that performance Sir Michael Stoute has an enviable trio with his two preferred (by bookmakers) performers, in the shape of St Leger and Breeders’ Cup turf winner Conduit - now conditioned after two runs back this season - and Tartan Bearer, who was runner up to New Approach in the 2008 Epsom Derby and has won at Group Three level this year already.
We are quite accustomed to seeing Aidan O’Brien run multiple entries in Group One feature events - but so often one or more would be considered only as pacemaker and there to ensure a steady pace.
On this occasion Sir Michael Stoute’s three entries can all be entertained as strong winning chances.
Aidan O’Brien does have multiple entries in the King George with his 2008 Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire looking to return to his best form after two very disappointing performances in 2009. His chance may be best indicated by the decision of usual pilot Johnny Murtagh to ride another stable entry, the highly fancied and improving 3 year old Golden Sword, who was fifth in the Epsom Derby before finishing second in the Irish Derby last start. O’Brien is also represented by a trio of runners - his third entry being Rockhampton, a 3 year old son of Galileo who has been used as a pacemaker in the Irish Derby, before failing last start at Group Three when ridden more conservatively but still only finding fourth place. He is likely to be used as a pacemaker again on Saturday.
The lack of a serious (classic winning) 3 year old contender is the disappointing aspect to the race this year. But apart from that aspect there is depth to this feature race with impressive 2008 Oaks winner Look Here looking to improve again after her narrow defeat by Ask (and Youmzain) last start and once again enter the winners stall.
Latest odds with Ladbrokes:
7/4 Conduit
7/2 Tartan Bearer
9/2 Golden Sword
6/1 Look Here
12/1 Ask
14/1 Frozen Fire
16/1 Alwaary
40/1 Scintillo
200/1 Rockhampton
My selections:
1 Conduit
2 Look Here
3 Tartan Bearer
Ryan Moore: number 1 jockey for Sir Michael Stoute has elected to ride Conduit
(photo: Roger Bamber/Guardian)
Given the strength of that performance Sir Michael Stoute has an enviable trio with his two preferred (by bookmakers) performers, in the shape of St Leger and Breeders’ Cup turf winner Conduit - now conditioned after two runs back this season - and Tartan Bearer, who was runner up to New Approach in the 2008 Epsom Derby and has won at Group Three level this year already.
We are quite accustomed to seeing Aidan O’Brien run multiple entries in Group One feature events - but so often one or more would be considered only as pacemaker and there to ensure a steady pace.
On this occasion Sir Michael Stoute’s three entries can all be entertained as strong winning chances.
Aidan O’Brien does have multiple entries in the King George with his 2008 Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire looking to return to his best form after two very disappointing performances in 2009. His chance may be best indicated by the decision of usual pilot Johnny Murtagh to ride another stable entry, the highly fancied and improving 3 year old Golden Sword, who was fifth in the Epsom Derby before finishing second in the Irish Derby last start. O’Brien is also represented by a trio of runners - his third entry being Rockhampton, a 3 year old son of Galileo who has been used as a pacemaker in the Irish Derby, before failing last start at Group Three when ridden more conservatively but still only finding fourth place. He is likely to be used as a pacemaker again on Saturday.
The lack of a serious (classic winning) 3 year old contender is the disappointing aspect to the race this year. But apart from that aspect there is depth to this feature race with impressive 2008 Oaks winner Look Here looking to improve again after her narrow defeat by Ask (and Youmzain) last start and once again enter the winners stall.
Latest odds with Ladbrokes:
7/4 Conduit
7/2 Tartan Bearer
9/2 Golden Sword
6/1 Look Here
12/1 Ask
14/1 Frozen Fire
16/1 Alwaary
40/1 Scintillo
200/1 Rockhampton
My selections:
1 Conduit
2 Look Here
3 Tartan Bearer
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