17:35 Royal Ascot

Thursday 22 June 2017

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

King George V Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 2m 31.68s

(16)

Homesman^b²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

8/1

Winner of the Group Three Gallinule Stakes in first time blinkers. Has work to do conceding top-weight to other potential pattern class horses and stable companion Utah looks weighted to reverse those placings.

Form: 2-4121

(20)

Sofia's Rock²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| D

7/1

10L winner of a Leicester handicap in April before taking his chance in the Lingfield Derby Trial where he soon retreated once the pack had claimed him. Dictated matters again when landing a gamble at Haydock when he won with more in hand than the verdict suggests. Yard have won this previously but he faces a stiff task from a wide draw, in a field of this size.

Form: 31-4171

(1)

Twin Star²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: Ms S Lavery| OR: 99

25/1

Behind Homesman in the Gallinule Stakes and has a chance to turn the tables over this longer trip. Stable have had a good year so far.

Form: 0-614

(13)

Utah²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 96

10/1

Beat a useful Balydoyle yardstick in The Anvil last year, a performance that would suggest he is on a handy mark in this. Behind stable companion Homesman in the Gallinule, but weighted to reverse the placings over a trip which will produce improvement given his entry in the Irish Leger.

Form: 6127-6

(15)

Master Singer^p1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 96

4/1

Easily accounted for a modest bunch at Newcastle a month ago and has sidestepped a Group Two entry to come for this. A line through Face The Facts, who beat him at Newbury on his return, gives him plenty to find with Sofia's Rock. He is sure to have improved since then and cheekpieces go on now, but others still look better handicapped.

Form: 4-31

(4)

Majoris^b1,t⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P J Smullen| T: H Palmer| OR: 95

50/1

Impressive winner of a couple of minor races last summer but struggled upped in class since. First-time blinkers need to have a positive effect.

Form: 1154-54

(6)

Tartini¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: G Lee| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 95| BF

14/1

Has gone well in a couple of classic trials and a hot handicap at Epsom. Up in distance here and will need to settle better in order to have a chance. Rider 4-14 for the trainer.

Form: 1-434

(19)

Good Omen¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 93

14/1

Up in class off a revised mark having won a classified race at Doncaster on soft ground three weeks ago. Quicker conditions raise further concerns but he does appear tactically versatile.

Form: 141-081

(18)

First Nation⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 93

8/1

Wolverhampton maiden winner who was beaten by Bin Battuta at Doncaster in April. Weights favour that rival again but this son of Dubawi has made the greater progress since. Shaped as though ready for this trip last time having failed to settle at Newmarket in a slowly run contest during Craven week. Trainer and jockey combined to win the Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

Form: 61-202

(5)

Bin Battuta^v1⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 93| BF

20/1

Lacks the scope of some of these and it can be worrying when this trainer reaches for the headgear. Nevertheless, trainer and jockey have a 9-20 record so prospects may not be as bleak as they appear.

Form: 17-134

(7)

Drochaid¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

14/1

Takes a keen hold and will appreciate the strong pace on offer. Finds himself in a big field for the first time and up considerably in grade. Closely matched with Tartini on running at Epsom but looks the most likely of the pair to stay this trip.

Form: 216-211

(22)

Atty Persse^p1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: K Shoemark⁽³⁾| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 93| BF

7/1

His victory in the Esher Cup (1m) worked out well and no surprise to see him go off short at Haydock over 1m2f. Did not convince as a horse who will stay this longer trip that day and pedigree adds to those stamina fears.

Form: 1-12

(2)

Shymkent¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Harry Bentley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91

33/1

Winner in the Carlisle mud last time having sprung a 50/1 surprise on first run for this yard. Well held in Listed company in between and likely to find this company, on this ground, too big a step.

Form: 0-151

(11)

Reachforthestars¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: S Foley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91

33/1

Took advantage of a lenient mark and a drop in grade to score last time at Haydock. More to do here with the ground an added issue.

Form: 247-641

(21)

Janszoon^b²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: M Barzalona| T: C Appleby| OR: 90| D

16/1

Looks weighted correctly judged on his maiden victory but disappointing on quick ground at Haydock subsequently. Has plenty to find with Sofia's Rock on that effort and blinkers go back on.

Form: 216

(9)

Oasis Charm⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: C O'Donoghue| T: C Appleby| OR: 90

25/1

Form of his victory in a Leicester maiden does not look strong enough. His subsequent defeat at Newmarket reaffirms his handicap mark overestimates him.

Form: 216

(12)

Never Surrender⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: P Hanagan| T: C Hills| OR: 88

25/1

Dropped in class when fulfilling promise at Chester but up in class for his handicap debut and trainer has a modest record here.

Form: 442-251

(10)

Bear Valley⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 88

20/1

Has faced some stern tests since his juvenile victory at Goodwood last July. Better at the same venue in a slowly run affair over 1m2f and looks more feasibly weighted now. Full-brother failed to stay this trip so there must be doubts about his ability to do likewise in a race of this standard.

Form: 1680-62

Non-Runners

(14)

Mister Manduro¹⁹

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Master Singer (4/1), Atty Persse (7/1), Sofia's Rock (7/1), First Nation (8/1), Homesman (8/1), Utah (10/1), Drochaid (14/1), Good Omen (14/1), Tartini (14/1), Mister Manduro (14/1), Janszoon (16/1), Bear Valley (20/1), Bin Battuta (20/1), Never Surrender (25/1), Oasis Charm (25/1), Twin Star (25/1), Shymkent (33/1), Reachforthestars (33/1), Majoris (50/1)

Atty Persse is a potential pattern class performer in the making but his pedigree makes him a risk over this trip in a race that will be run as strongly as this. Mark Johnston took this in 2012 and his team here is spearheaded by impressive Haydock scorer Sofia's Rock. Whether he will be able to dominate this big field in similar fashion is debatable and Mister Manduro looks a better alternative with the strong pace bringing his proven stamina into play. First Nation appeals as another who will appreciate the pace and Master Singer comes here in preference to tougher assignments. Aidan O'Brien is well represented with Ryan Moore preferring Homestead who had UTAH behind in the Gallinule Stakes. The latter looked in need of the run and is now weighted to turn the tables. A juvenile victory over The Anvil,who has campaigned at the highest level, puts him on an attractive mark as he steps up to a trip which should yield some improvement.