King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes preview and tips

Horse-by-horse guide

Click here for Sky Bet odds and offers

BOLSHOI BALLET

Hasn't lived up to early expectations and couldn't get the job done when dropped back to Listed level at Royal Ascot last month. More of a stamina test here is a plus but he's outclassed on all known form.

DEAUVILLE LEGEND

Was always the plan to go to Royal Ascot a fresh horse, having had a busy three-year-old campaign that ended with a highly creditable fourth on soft ground in the Melbourne Cup. Didn't disgrace himself when fourth to Pyledriver in the Hardwicke and he's entitled to be a bit sharper for the run but his overall body of work leaves plenty to be desired here.

HAMISH

Interesting entry for William Haggas and he's clearly as good as ever at the age of seven after Group 3 wins at Chester and York this season. However, he's a stayer and while the ground is likely to be back on the soft side come the weekend, it's unlikely to be testing enough to bring his stamina reserves into play.

HUKUM

Won over this course and distance at the back-end of his four-year-old campaign and he slammed Pyledriver by over four lengths in last year's Coronation Cup before spending a year on the sidelines. Resumed with half-length defeat of Desert Crown over seemingly inadequate 10 furlongs at Sandown in May and looks set to have ideal ground conditions back up in trip this weekend (pulled out of Royal meeting due to good to firm). Record when fresh - returning from 50 days or more off the track - reads 1114111 which also bodes well.

LUXEMBOURG

He shaped like a step back up to this distance would be more to his liking when swept aside by Mostahdaf in the Prince of Wales's Stakes last month and he had an excuse on his only previous attempt at the trip (finished lame in last year's Arc). Had previously won his third Group 1 when beating Bay Bridge in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and he shouldn't be underestimated, especially if the ground is on the soft side.

POINT LONSDALE

Has been well placed to win at Group 3 and Group 2 level earlier this year but had his limitations exposed again by Emily Upjohn in the Coronation Cup last time out. Won the 2021 Chesham on his only previous visit to Ascot but very hard to see him troubling the main players in this.

PYLEDRIVER

Often overlooked in top middle-distances races and he won this event at 18/1 12 months ago. Back from thick end of a year off to land the Hardwicke (replay below) over same course and distance last month and no reason to think he won't bring his A-game again given he's also proven on soft ground. He's actually the highest-rated runner in the field (124) on official BHA figures.

WESTOVER

Certainly not out of place in G1 company and he claimed his second career success at the highest level in France earlier this month. This looks a lot hotter on the face of it and he let down favourite-backers in a big way in this race last summer so hard to have maximum faith. Also looked outclassed by Emily Upjohn at Epsom earlier this year and overall you've got to say he's got it to do.

EMILY UPJOHN

Obvious drawback is that she bombed out when last of six in this race 12 months ago but her CV is very hard to knock otherwise. Performing better than ever this time around, waltzing past Westover and co to win the Coronation Cup and only coming up half a length short when trying to give top-notch three-year-old Paddington 7lb in the Coral-Eclipse this time. Weight-for-age is 1lb more over this longer trip but it also suits the Gosden filly a lot better so she's extremely likely to run well with Dettori back in the saddle.

AUGUSTE RODIN

Top-class two-year-old and quickly left 2000 Guineas flop behind when beating King Of Steel by half a length in the Derby. Followed up in fairly workmanlike style in the Irish version at the Curragh and probably needs to improve on that bare form to be beating a bunch of rock-solid older horses in this field. Still open to improvement over this trip, though, and no surprise if right in the shake-up.

KING OF STEEL

Huge grey who brings considerable potential to the table but looks short enough in the market given he's yet to win at G1 level and faces nine horses who have. Gunned down late on by Auguste Rodin in the Derby (went without a prep after being withdrawn at the start of the Dante) and didn't have to improve to go one better in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot last month. Won't mind softer ground on this occasion and he's another who should be involved at the finish.

Verdict

A brilliant edition of the race and one which will have massive implications for the remainder of the season. I was keen to get Luxembourg on side when first addressing the race a fortnight ago and there's still plenty of juice in his price.

With Hukum hardening up in recent days and now challenging the three-year-olds towards the head of the market in light of more unsettled weather, there's probably a spot of value in Emily Upjohn around 5/1 with Frankie Dettori back in the saddle this weekend.

She ran a massive race in defeat (under William Buick) against top three-year-old Paddington in the Coral-Eclipse, having previously looked the best older middle-distance horse in Britain when stylishly winning the Coronation Cup, and there's loads to like about her chances.

Updated at 1600 BST on 27/07/23

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org