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A MASSIVE day in the world of British horse racing has been diminished down through the years by the lack of prize money for what was always seen as the jewel in the middle-distance racing crown, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
So much so that this Saturday feature is worth exactly the same amount of prize money as the International Stakes at York and can no longer compete with the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn.
No wonder then it has attracted a moderate field with a distinct lack of quality, with an average former Derby winner as a short-priced favourite and only one three-year-old in the line-up of nine runners and rated no better than a 12/1 shot!
Auguste Rodin is quite obviously the most likely winner, but on my private ratings he only has up to 4lbs in hand of three rivals, one of which Luxembourg is a doubtful stayer in a fast-run 12-furlong event, and in Rebel’s Romance, a horse that is only a Group One performer in easier Group One races abroad.
Middle Earth may only be a recent top-grade handicapper turned Group Two performer, but the way this race is going to be run he could hit the frame here at around 14/1, simply by picking up the pieces in the closing stages before he is sent on his way to run in the Melbourne Cup down under later this season.
Bluestocking is firmly on the upgrade but, with a warm Saturday forecast, she looks vulnerable on fast ground with both her two lowest-rated runs having come on good to firm.
So in the end I have decided to play on the side of SUNWAY, who was involved in arguably the best classic form this season in the French Derby when a strong finishing four-and-a-half-length seventh of 14 behind the impressive Look De Vega at Chantilly.
Since then, the sole three-year-old in the field has finished second in the Irish Derby behind Los Angeles at Curragh. He too will be very well suited to this likely end-to-end gallop, and has solid each-way claims this afternoon.
The big betting event of the day is the International Stakes Heritage Handicap over seven furlongs (3.00). Old boy Bless Him looks sure to run a huge race, with the ground drying out all the time and should hit the first five, but for my selection, I strongly fancy the claims of outsider DIVINE LIBRA.
The Charles Hills-trained runner kicked off the season with a cracking win off 87 at Chester before two solid runs in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot, and in the Bunbury Cup as well. Set to race off the same mark here and with the great Christophe Soumillon aboard, the grey gelding rates a strong each-way play at around 20/1 mark.
As far as the rest of the Berkshire card is concerned, DEFINITIVE (1.50) could be the each-way call in the Princess Margaret Stakes. The Clive Cox-trained filly won nicely on her career debut at Haydock Park when looking in need of the run, and she gets the nod over the likely favourite Simmering from the in form Olie Sangster yard.
Later on, have a second look at BOPEDRO (4.50) in the class-two Handicap. Now an eight-year-old, he was an eye-catching six of 29 in last year’s Buckingham Palace Stakes off a mark of 101, and now gets a chance to run over the same course and distance off a rating of 96 on the back of two good runs at York and Epsom.
The final race on the card at 5.25 looks ultra competitive, but will be run on the fastest ground of the day and that will suit SPANGLED MAC, who has probably been aimed at this race by the shrewd George Boughey. The selection ran a cracking eighth of 27 in last year’s Wokingham Handicap, beaten three lengths off a mark of 95.
Following a 252-day break, he made a very satisfactory comeback behind the red-hot in-form Jordan Electrics at Hamilton, and should be spot-on for this valuable event. Course and distance winner Call Me Ginger could be worth a back-up bet with his cracking record at the track under regular rider Amie Waugh.
York is the other big meeting of the day and I shall be having two lumpy bets at the track, the first of which is GLENDOWN in the opening jump jockeys handicap sprint at 2.05. The ground should be nicely watered by the forecast showers before racing begins, and this massive outsider looks way over priced at around 40/1 for this big field speed test.
Later on, THEME PARK (4.35) could be the call in the Prize Drop Handicap. Nigel Tinkler hasn’t had the best of seasons so far, but his horses are beginning to find their stride and this four-year-old has been given a real chance by the handicapper following a superb effort from off the pace at the track over an extended mile-and-a-quarter handicap. This drop down to a bare mile will suit him better and he gets the nod over the likes of the hat-trick seeking Eagle Day and Al Marmar.
Finally, have a second look at DEMBE who is only having his third turf start on his 28th career outing in the 3.20 at Chester. Last time out he caught my eye in a big field Ascot event over seven furlongs and his breeding suggests that he should have no problem with the good to soft ground here.
