Prominent Derby pair identify 11 contenders for prestigious King George race

Star-Studded King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes Set for Thrilling Showdown

The highly-anticipated King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot is set to showcase a star-studded field of 11 runners, including the formidable duo of Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel. Despite the late withdrawal of last year’s Epsom hero Desert Crown, this Group One spectacle promises to be the race of the season so far.

In what can only be described as a battle between titans, Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin emerged victorious over Roger Varian’s King Of Steel by a mere half-length in the premier Classic back in early June. Since then, Auguste Rodin has impressively clinched the Derby double in Ireland. Meanwhile, King Of Steel showcased his dominance with an emphatic win in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

With both horses being closely matched in betting odds, punters are eagerly anticipating their much-awaited rematch on Saturday.

The Contenders: A Stellar Lineup

Hukum trained by Owen Burrows is among those leading contenders alongside Emily Upjohn from John and Thady Gosden’s yard. Hukum boasts an impressive record as a dual winner over course and distance and recently proved too strong for Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown.

Making her mark as the sole filly amongst fierce competition, Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn will be ridden by legendary jockey Frankie Dettori who aims to secure his record eighth victory in The King George before his planned retirement later this year.

Intriguingly enough, defending champion Pyledriver finds himself fifth on the betting charts despite delivering a commendable performance during his comeback at the Hardwicke Stakes in the Royal Meeting.

Auguste Rodin is also accompanied by a formidable trio of stablemates – Bolshoi Ballet, Luxembourg, and Point Lonsdale. These horses are set to provide tough competition for their rivals.

The remaining hopefuls comprise Melbourne Cup fourth-placed Deauville Legend trained by James Ferguson, last year’s Irish Derby champion and recent Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Westover under Ralph Beckett’s guidance, as well as five-time Group Three victor Hamish from William Haggas’ yard.

Weather Conditions and Track Status

Rainfall overnight has led to a soft track with good-to-soft patches at Ascot. However, weather forecasts indicate potential improvement throughout the day with sunny spells expected later on. A slight chance of light showers remains possible on both Friday and Saturday; however, minimal rainfall volumes are anticipated. The forecast predicts breezy conditions with temperatures ranging between 21C and 24C.

Finding Success Amidst Perplexities

This thrilling renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes promises high stakes action that will leave racing enthusiasts spellbound. With an extraordinary lineup featuring some of the finest runners in this season’s calendar, all eyes will be on Ascot come race day.