Ascot Saturday racecard, declarations, preview and tips: Saturday July 28
IT'S King George day at Ascot on Saturday, with a cracking renewal of the £1,250,000 feature due off at 3.40.
There are some top supporting races, too, and the Sunracing team have picked out their best bets for each of the seven races on the card.
Race 1 - 1.50
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Angel's Hideaway sets the standard in the opener, the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes.
She was second in a Group 2 last time but hung badly under pressure and doesn't look the most straightforward.
Narrow preference is for ROYAL INTERVENTION, who was very impressive when winning a Listed race at Newmarket last time and there should be more improvement to come.
Scintilating and Aquarius both made winning debuts and are unknown quantities who should not be discounted.
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Verdict - 1. Royal Intervention 2. Angel's Hideaway 3. Scintilating
Race 2 - 2.25
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GEORGE OF HEARTS caught the eye when running on well from a poor position to finish ninth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot.
He was well-backed that day and can make amends off the same mark today.
The hat-trick seeking Escalator has been put up 10lbs for his Newmarket win, but he is clearly on a steep upward curve and is feared.
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Corrosive was collared in the last strides latest and can run well again in first-time cheekpieces.
Sam Gold and Crack On Crack On are also worthy of a place on the shortlist despite finishing behind the selection at the Royal meeting.
Verdict - 1.George Of Hearts 2. Escalator 3. Corrosive
Race 3 - 3.00
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A fiercely competitive renewal of this handicap can go the way of IL PRIMO SOLE.
John Gosden's talented three-year-old ran well when fifth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and he should relish this drop back to 7f.
Makzeem ran well in the Bunbury Cup under Ryan Moore last time out and heads the long list of dangers.
Victoria Cup winner Ripp Orf also commands plenty of respect, with this big field and the likelihood of a strong pace ideal for him.
Spanish City took a step back in the right direction when second at Newmarket having disappointed at York.
He should be involved in the finish, as should Hunt Cup fifth Flaming Spear, Bunbury Cup hero Burnt Sugar and the lightly-raced Sabador.
Verdict - 1. Il Primo Sole 2. Makzeem 3. Ripp Orf
Race 4 - 3.40
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A top-class field of eight have assembled for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the £1,250,000 feature at Ascot.
Doubts remain over Cracksman's participation, but if thunderstorms do hit Ascot and he takes his place he would post a big danger to his rivals, for all he has raced lazily the last twice.
Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Ocean has done nothing but improve since a brilliant second in the St Leger last year, and he is ready for another crack at a Group 1.
The same can be said of his stablemate Poet's Word, who beat Cracksman in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and who should appreciate the return to 1m4f.
However, the value in the race lies with CORONET.
John Gosden's filly won the Ribblesdale Stakes over course and distance last year and was unlucky not to win a Group 1 in France last time.
The form of her win at York in May could hardly have worked out any better and she receives a handy 3lbs from her male rivals.
The sole three-year-old in the field Rostropovich could grab a place at big odds if let loose on the front-end.
Verdict - 1. Coronet 2. Poet's Word 3. Crystal Ocean
Race 5 - 4.15
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This could be a muddling race, which would be a concern for the Chesham Stakes runner-up Nate The Great.
Michael Bell's progressive MASTER BREWER gets the nod with Ryan Moore in the saddle, after he broke his maiden in impressive style at Newmarket last month.
Victory Command has been in great form recently but is in deeper here, so a greater threat may come from the cosy Windsor winner Glorious Lover.
Verdict - 1. Master Brewer 2. Nate The Great 3. Glorious Lover
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Race 6 - 4.50
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It often pays to side with Serena Brotherton in these type of races, and she has an excellent chance aboard ROBERO.
The six-year-old is 4lbs below his last winning mark and is having his first start for a new yard.
Nick Vedder is a strong traveller and this contest should be run to suit.
Harry Beau has been holding his form well and can go close, while Ghayyar has the form to play a part if he handles the drop back to 7f.
Verdict - 1. Robero 2. Nick Vedder 3. Harry Beau
Race 7 - 5.20
SLEEPING LION won with any amount in hand at Newbury last time, overcoming trouble in running in the process.
He is a confident selection in the lucky last.
Dark Pearl has been slightly disappointing this season but it's too soon to write him off.
The likeable What A Welcome is unbeaten in handicaps and won't go down without a fight, while the consistent Bajan Gold holds rock-solid place claims.
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Verdict - 1. Sleeping Lion 2. Dark Pearl 3. What A Welcome