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THE King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes used to be the all-aged, middle-distance highlight of the year, but in the last 20 years or so I would say that the Arc has taken over that top spot, and by some way, in that particular category.

However, this year’s Ascot showpiece looks set to land a decisive counter-punch on its French counterpart with what promises to be a superb renewal. A double-figure field is headed by Irish Derby winner Benevenuto Cellini, representing the Classic generation, taking on a stellar cast of older horses.

Among them are last year’s winner and runner-up, Calandagan and Kalpana, 2024 victor Goliath, Tenno Sho winner and Japan Cup runner-up Shin Emperor, who finished behind the French-trained Goliath, and the classy filly and Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk.

Now that last sentence quite rightly took a deep breath to conjure, which means the race should offer up a spectacular event.

It is quite obvious that Aidan O’Brien, even though he won’t admit it, will be using Action as a pacemaker as BC’s strong point is his staying prowess and it will depend on whether the field disregard that early pace, which could shape the second half of this famous Group One event.

I just feel that Minnie Hauk wants some give in the ground to be at her best, but that is certainly not the case for the other protagonists. Calandagan is the rightful favourite, but at the current odds the value lies with Goliath and, in particular, MASQUERADE BALL (3.35).

The former has been building up to a peak performance this year with a Group Two success at Chantilly, followed by an unlucky third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot when Soumillon lost his irons at a crucial stage of the contest.

Even though the Japanese raider is currently a third of the odds of the former winner, he comes here relatively unexposed over this trip having raced over it twice, finishing second on both occasions, including in the aforementioned Japan Cup. There is little doubt that he stays the trip very well and his chance could be down to whether the four-year-old, on only his 10th career start, manages to handle the undulations of the Berkshire track.

The International Handicap is a fierce seven-furlong event with 17 set to go to post, although I was absolutely gutted when I saw that Vafortino was taken out at the 24-hour stage after being nibbled at in the market place from 33/1 into the 16’s, and yes of course I had availed myself of a large slice of the former.

The favourite EXTREMELY ZAIN (2.55) has obvious claims as he tries to retain his unbeaten record on his fourth career start, having easily beaten his older rivals on his handicap debut at York last time out, despite running freely enough through the first two-and-a-half furlongs. The son of Hello Youmzain has an 8lbs penalty, but could still be ahead of the handicapper and stall eight in a field of this size is a fair box to have in a race where the maximum of field of 29 is more or less filled, or at least reaches 20 plus.

His biggest dangers are fellow progressive three-year-old Amazing Journey (impressive winner over six furlongs here earlier in the month), the ultra consistent Victoria Cup runner-up and Buckingham Palace Stakes third, Great Acclaim and North Yorkshire raider Leadman who was a shade unlucky at Newmarket last time out when getting into a spot of bother.

DARK ISSUE (1.45) looks the one to beat on in the Princess Margaret Stakes, following her running on fourth in the Albany Stakes over the course and distance with market rival Alta Regina the biggest danger, after she too promised plenty from off the pace in the Queen Mary Stakes behind the impressive Victorious.

Later on, EDWIN HUBBLE (4.10) looks a very interesting runner in the three-year-old, mile-and-a-half handicap. Brian Meehan’s runner has been crying out for a test over this kind of trip for some time and still looks potentially well-weighted off a rating of 77.

There’s also some fabulous action at York, featuring the Group Two York Stakes over an extended mile-and-a-quarter. This was the course and distance over which the enigmatic Pride of Arras won the Dante Stakes last year, beating another of today’s rivals Damysus and there should be little between them here. 

In fact, the Ralph Beckett runner has recorded his two best career starts at a track which obviously suits his run style and I make him the biggest danger to the favourite ITEM (2.35), winner of this year’s Dante. Subsequently unsuited by the ground and perhaps not seeing out the mile-and-a-half in the Epsom Derby, he is well worth another chance back over this trip on a more conventional track.

There are several big handicaps on the Knavesmire card, and the one I want to play in is the one-mile event at 3.05. Son was a very good third behind Extremely Zain here three outings back, but the extra 192 yards may just stretch his stamina here and I much prefer the claims of the filly ENOLA GREY. She is reliant on a fast pace up top and then weaving her way through the pack. She didn’t have the best of runs at Ascot last time out and the handicapper has dropped her to 75 here, which is very winnable.

The concluding class three, mile-and-a-half handicap looks suitably open, even with just the 10 runners set to go to post and my preference is for the top weight TYCOON (4.17), with Toby Moore taking a valuable 7lbs off his back. The four-year-old was a very promising third of eight at Ascot last time out on ground he adores and is the full 7lbs lower here because of his rider’s claim.