Oli Bell's ITV Racing selections for King George day

After a week away from the hot seat, I’ll be back presenting The Opening Show on ITV’s main channel from 9.25am and 10.25am.

Joining me to set the scene for a fantastic afternoon will be jockey Martin Dwyer. Martin rode a winner at Ascot on Friday but picked up a lengthy ban in the process, we will chat to him about that as well as discussing events at Yarmouth in the week, where the wrong horse entered the stalls and subsequently 'won' a race for two-year-olds.

We’ll hear urban music stars and X-Factor favourites Reggie N Bollie’s attempts at race commentary, while Victoria Pendleton heads back to Andrew Balding’s yard for her latest feature.

And, of course, we’ll be running the rule over what is a very good race day with a full, in-depth preview.

Our live coverage of seven races starts on ITV at 1.30pm, with some tantalising contests in store. Take a look at who I’m tipping for glory...

1.50 Ascot - Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes, 6f

Nyaleti will win our opener, in my opinion – she’s just better than her rivals. Her form is better than the rest in the race and she proved that she can handle Ascot by finishing second in the Chesham Stakes in June.

Mark Johnston’s two-year-old is probably short enough in the betting, but she is by far and away the standout in terms of the form pick and for that reason she’s my selection.

Ryan Moore has an impressive list of bookings on Saturday and Nyaleti could provide the start to a very good day for the jockey.

2.05 York - Win £100k For Free At sportinglife.com/pick7 Now Handicap Stakes, 7f

My money will be going on Get Knotted. He won this race 12 months ago and has twice this month run respectively over six furlongs.

Now back over seven furlongs and back at York this weekend, where he has a decent record, means I think he’ll go pretty close.

This is a very competitive race and Al Khan for Kevin Ryan and Kevin Stott is a horse of interest, dropping back in trip at a big price. Although Get Knotted is my main selection, Al Khan is a good each-way alternative.

2.25 Ascot - Porsche Handicap Stakes, 1m

I think Naval Warfare is worth an each-way bet in this. I really liked the way he went about his business at Leicester in May, with his attitude and action impressing late on.

He had a bad draw at Sandown last time out in the Coral Challenge and I can think you can put a line through that run because of that. I’m keen to give him another chance on the basis of that last race being a write off.

2.40 York - SkyBet Dash Handicap Stakes, 6f

I’m tipping Ultimate Avenue for Ed Walker and Pat Cosgrave. A lot of people will fancy this horse on the back of his run last time out at Newmarket earlier this month, where he massively caught the eye behind Ekhtiyaar, doing all his best work late on.

Obviously I’m not picking out something that nobody has seen or has clocked on to, but the three-year-old really has impressed and I think York is a track that will suit him. He’s got a huge chance.

It wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see Futoon run well at a big price, again for Kevin Ryan. Jockey Seamus Cronin takes off 7lbs and is good value for it, it would seem. I would expect this horse to leave a mark.

3.00 Ascot - Gigaset International Handicap Stakes, 1m 3f 211y

A horse at a big price that has interested me is the ride of our Opening Show guest Martin Dwyer – Havre De Paix.

Trainer David Menuisier had a challenging start to the year but has had winners recently and some good horses have come through.

This five-year-old will relish there being a bit of rain in the air, so given the conditions and the form of the yard is an encouraging prospect.

I also like Flaming Spear. I thought this horse was excellent when he won on his comeback at Newcastle in June. He’s obviously had a few problems and was due to run at Newmarket’s July Meeting, but was pulled out.

If he’s fit he’s got the style to do really well. He’s only had 10 races in his career and at five-years-old there have clearly been issues and you take a bit of that fitness on trust.

But, similarly, when he does come to the races he can perform and in terms of talent he’s very good.

3.15 York - Sky Bet York Stakes, 1m 2f 56y

Success Days will be first past the post. His form in Ireland is strong, he’s a Group 3 winner in the past and looks as though he could get an easy lead out in front. The grey has solid credentials.

He has run more recently than Autocratic, one of his closest market pursuers, and I think will be hard to beat.

3.35 Ascot - King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Group 1, 1m 3f 211y

I’m all over Enable, I think she’s an absolute monster – she’s a freak. Not many horses, in my view, have what she showed in the Oaks. I thought Rhododendron was going to chew her up and spit her out, but she was magnificent.

The Nathaniel foal was class in Ireland and I’m so pleased that she is running at Ascot at the weekend, where connections hope she will be the first filly since Taghrooda in 2014 to win this race.

There’s not much that hasn’t already been said about Enable and I believe she’ll also win the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe in October.

She’ll tear up Ascot and is going to do something pretty special.

The worry with Highland Reel would be the slightly softer conditions and you can’t really back Jack Hobbs with any real confidence right now.

Desert Encounter could be a horse to feature. I don’t expect him to win but he won’t mind a bit of cut under foot and will be ready to pick up the pieces.

He didn’t run badly in the Eclipse at Sandown and there will be a similar approach to his run this weekend. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him in the top three and could be a good each-way bet.