Kevin Stott warmed up for his King George ride aboard King Of Steel in the perfect way when Baradar stormed to success in the International Stakes at Ascot.
The Shadwell-owned Hukum displayed a tremendous attitude when edging out Westover in a thrilling renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this afternoon.
Although all eyes will be focused on the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, the 1m2½f Group 2 York Stakes (3:15) at the Knavesmire is worthy of attention with some interesting contenders entered.
The Group action is not limited to the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. The competitive undercard includes the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes, the Group 3 Valiant Stakes, and the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes.
The Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3:40) at Ascot has enjoyed a renewal in the past decade and this year’s line-up promises to be one of the best races of the season.
Desert Crown is a notable absentee as eleven declare for an outstanding renewal of the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Last year’s Group 2 Vintage Stakes winner Marbaan will be attempting to win at back-to-back Goodwood Festivals in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes on Tuesday.
Sandown host an afternoon card on Thursday which include the 7f Listed Star Stakes (3:15) for two-year-olds, a race which was won by subsequent Group 1 winner Inspiral in 2021.
Aidan O’Brien hailed Paddington’s progress as ‘unusual’ and ‘a little bit different’ as the star three-year-old colt bids for further Group 1 glory in the Sussex Stakes on day two of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Trainer Owen Burrows is seemingly relishing running Hukum in Saturday’s King George And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, although is certainly wary it will prove no easy task in what he describes as ‘the best King George’s there’s been for many a year.’
Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes looks like being the highlight of the 2023 flat season with Auguste Rodin, King Of Steel, Emily Upjohn, Desert Crown and Hukum all featuring among the 15 confirmations made on Monday.
The summer jumping season is firmly underway and Southwell hold a competitive six-race card on Tuesday, including a Novices’ Brush Hurdle Series Qualifier.
The Unibet Summer Plate Handicap Chase spoils went north of the border as Born Famous came from last to first under a brilliant Harry Cobden ride to win for Dumfriesshire trainer Iain Jardine.
Just a few hours after William Haggas' Al Aasy got back to winning ways, Relief Rally proved herself a high-class juvenile filly by fetching the best part of £125,000 in the Weatherbys Super Sprint later on the card.
5/1 chance Biggles proved his worth in big handicaps once more when recording a seventh career success in the £120,000 bet365 Bunbury Cup Heritage Handicap.
With full-brother Bremen producing a debut second at Tipperary on Wednesday, it seems apt to revisit Warm Heart’s victory in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes and analyse an unusually Australian pedigree for a Royal Ascot winner.
Royal Ascot 2023 once again provided a fantastic platform for good, promoting several charitable causes and engaging the local community in various initiatives around the Royal Meeting.
The opening Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap (Class 5) at Wolverhampton on Tuesday was voided following an incident shortly after coming out of the stalls that saw Dane O'Neill take nasty looking fall onboard Eagle Eye Tom.
14 horses stood their ground at Monday’s confirmations stage for Newmarket’s July Cup on Saturday which included Charlie Hills’ Khaadem being supplemented at the cost of £36,000.
Trainer Kevin Ryan unveiled an exciting two-year-old prospect at Haydock on Friday with Expensive Queen winning the 7f Class 4 British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes in good style.
There will be UK and Irish interest at Saint-Cloud on Saturday with Westover attempting to emulate 2022 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista by winning the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud en route to the autumn showpiece.
Although the headline race is the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on Saturday, there is an exciting under-card featuring the Group 3 Coral Charge and the Listed Coral Distaff.
Auguste Rodin’s co-owner Michael Tabor feels the dual Derby hero will have no issue dropping back to ten furlongs and reveals that the Juddmonte International will feature “high on the agenda” for the colt, while a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Classic remains a possibility at the end of the season.
As is so often the case, Newbury has attracted some classy-looking juveniles on Thursday and local trainer Richard Hannon will almost certainly be disappointed if heading home empty-handed given he looks to have seven live chances across the card.
Sam King kept the ball rolling with a 13/8 winner at Musselburgh yesterday evening and he returns with three more selections to whet the appetite on this tremendous Tuesday evening.
Wednesday’s Tipperary card features the 5f Listed Tipperary Stakes, which has attracted a field of nine speedy juveniles and Aidan O’Brien’s sole representative Alabama currently heads the betting.
Charlie Appleby enjoyed a successful Saturday at Newmarket with three winners on the card including Dance Sequence in the 7f Class 4 Blandford Bloodstock Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
It may only be six races at Hamilton Park on Tuesday, but racing fans can enjoy the Class 2 action in the Aspire Cleaning Company Almada Mile Handicap.
George Boughey enjoyed his first success in Ireland in the best possible way when his mare Via Sistina came home best to take the Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh.
Sunday’s Irish Derby under-card features the Group 2 Railway Stakes for two-year-olds, the 6f Listed Dash Stakes and the Listed Celebration Stakes over a mile.
The highlight of Saturday’s card at the Curragh is the 1m2f Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (3:25), which has been won by champion race mares such as Alexander Goldrun, Izzi Top and Minding.
