King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Winner

Once the number one destination for any horse aspiring to be known as one of the world’s best over 1m4f, small fields in recent times have led to this big, mid-season clash of the generations losing some of its old appeal but looking at the potential field for this year’s renewal, we should finally get a contest worthy of its prestige.

First and foremost, we are likely to have the first and second in this season’s Derby attending, which is always great to see, and on the evidence of what has occurred since Epsom a month ago, the form looks particularly strong. The winner, Auguste Rodin, has gone on to supplement his gains in the Irish version on home soil and he rates a worthy favourite with the Classic generation receiving a healthy allowance, while the runner up went on to score in tidy fashion at Royal Ascot. The draw and the conditions on the day will probably determine who of the pair comes out on top this time.

Of the older brigade, Hukum missed his intended engagement at Royal Ascot due to unfavourable fast ground, so the likely soft underfoot conditions come the weekend will do his chances no harm whatsoever. Unlike his three-year-old counterparts, he has the advantage of running three times at Ascot in the past – two of which he has won – and he looked as good as ever when lowering the colours of last year’s Derby winner, Desert Crown, over an inadequate trip at Sandown on his return to action.

Although beaten fair and square on day, Sir Michael Stoute’s colt has been reportedly doing all the right things at home since that defeat back in May and he, too, wouldn’t mind any further easing of the ground.

Pyledriver was a shock winner of this race last year and he arrives here in a bid to repeat the dose in fine fettle courtesy of victory in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting. Only beaten now once in four starts at the Berkshire venue, the mere fact he has such an affinity with the track must count for plenty and this durable and unsung hero for connections can not be written off under any circumstances.

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Odds

Horse Best Price Worst Price
King of Steel 7/2 11/4
Auguste Rodin 7/2 3/1
Hukum 4/1 7/2
Emily Upjohn 9/2 4/1
Desert Crown 6/1 5/1
Plyedriver 7/1 6/1

 

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Tips | Andy Holding Tips

Other than one poor run in this race last year (pulled too hard), EMILY UPJOHN (best price 9/2) has performed to the very highest standard for the last two seasons and her latest effort in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown must go down as close to a career high. In trying to give 7lb to a dual Group 1 winning three-year-old in the shape of the hugely improved Paddington, John & Thady Gosden’s filly had to be carried out on her shield at the Esher track and with the speed figure backing up the view it was a race for the ages, her credentials now stepping back up in trip are there for all to see.

Moreover, her victory in the Group 1 Fillies’ And Mares Stakes over today’s C&D on Champions Day has since been supplemented by a smooth success in the Coronation Cup on her seasonal bow and with the addition of a hood seen as one of the main reasons why she has taken her game to another level, the daughter of Sea The Starts makes plenty of appeal at her current price.