15:40 Ascot

Saturday 27 July 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:20

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 2m 32.42s

(6)

Cheval Grand¹¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Y Tomomichi| OR: 119| D

33/1

Japan Cup winner in 2017 and runner-up in the Sheema Classic at Meydan when last seen. Fast ground and a stiff 1m4f should suit and not without an each-way squeak on UK debut if the rain stays away.

Form: 02443-2

(9)

Crystal Ocean³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 127| CD

7/2

Better than ever this year and won the Prince of Wales's Stakes last time at the Royal meeting here. A bit unlucky not to win this race last year and while well beaten by Enable in a Kempton Group 3 last year, may get closer to that rival this time.

Form: 222-111

(3)

Defoe³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 119| CD

10/1

Gained a first Group 1 success in the Coronation Cup when benefiting from being held up off a strong pace. Followed that with a win in the C&D Hardwicke Stakes last time but has more on his plate in this field; any rain would help his cause.

Form: 02-4211

(10)

Hunting Horn^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| C

66/1

Group 3 winner of the Hampton Court Stakes here last year (1m2f) but hasn't won since and generally struggles at the top level. Yard have stronger claims with their other runners. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 334446

(2)

Morando³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 115| D

66/1

Bolted up in a Group 3 at Chester on seasonal bow but no obvious signs he's up to this level and well beaten by Defoe last time out; plenty more on his plate here.

Form: 521-184

(5)

Salouen³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: S Kirk| OR: 115| CD

80/1

Has run some huge races in Group 1 company (career best when second in last year's Coronation Stakes). Bolted up over C&D in a Listed race on return but this rates as his toughest test yet; others make more appeal having been well beaten last time.

Form: 369-137

(4)

Waldgeist³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Pierre-Charles Boudot| T: A Fabre| OR: 122| D

12/1

A three-time Group 1 winner in France and put up a creditable effort when fourth in last year's Arc behind Enable. No match for Crystal Ocean here last time out though and this is tougher again; place claims if he's at his best.

Form: 1455-13

(11)

Enable²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 125| CD

8/15

Remarkable mare, a dual Arc winner who bids for a ninth Group 1 success here in a race she won back in 2017. Ought to come on from her win in the Eclipse last time, goes on any ground and she's hard to oppose on all known form.

Form: 11/111-1

(1)

Magic Wand^p1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| BF| CD

28/1

C&D winner of the Ribblesdale and wasn't far off that sort of level when runner-up in a fillies' Group 1 at the Curragh last time out. Hard to recommend in a race this competitive though. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 4-25322

(7)

Anthony Van Dyck^p1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| BF| D

7/1

Impressive when winning the Derby Trial at Lingfield before going on to land the Epsom Derby. Probably gave his stablemate too much rope when runner-up in the Irish Derby last time out and less exposed than his elders; each-way claims.

Form: 239-112

(8)

Norway^p²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| BF

66/1

Managed to hang on for third in the Irish Derby last time but no obvious signs he's up to this sort of level and yard have stronger claims with their other runners.

Form: 14-2893

Forecasts

Enable (8/15), Crystal Ocean (7/2), Anthony Van Dyck (7/1), Defoe (10/1), Waldgeist (12/1), Magic Wand (28/1), Cheval Grand (33/1), Hunting Horn (66/1), Norway (66/1), Morando (66/1), Salouen (80/1)

ENABLE was impressive when landing this contest in 2017 and her comeback success in the Eclipse last time out suggests she retains all of her ability. Having already beaten most of her main rivals in this race at some stage in her career, she's going to be hard to deny in her bid for a ninth success at the highest level. Crystal Ocean has been better than ever this year and isn't one to rule out having gone so close in this last year. Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck is the unexposed one who may benefit from the fitting of first-time cheekpieces.