The King George Stakes is the feature race on the fourth day of the Glorious Goodwood festival and this year’s renewal of the Group 2 is set to be a proper speed test with some of the fastest horses around. Check out our runner-by-runner guide to the contest, alongside Bet UK’s latest offer where new customers can claim £60 in free bets if they bet £20.
All odds are Bet UK – Prices correct at the time of publish
1. LAZULI (Charlie Appleby, William Buick) 6/1
Justified favouritism to land a Dubai Group 2 back in February, his first run at the level. Having his first run since when down the field in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot last month, albeit he did do best of the group that ran closest to the stands rail. May come on for that run (won second time out in Dubai) and this drop in grade will suit, but he has a 3lb penalty to carry for February’s win which doesn’t make life easy.
2. ACKLAM EXPRESS (Nigel Tinkler, Rowan Scott) 7/1
Hasn’t got his head in front since taking a York Listed contest as a juvenile back in August 2020 (record since 0-11) but he has run some fine races in defeat in the meantime. Managed to grab a place, albeit never threatened the winner, when a 200/1 outsider for the King’s Stand Stakes last time out. Winner of a nursery at this meeting back in 2020, so the track holds no fears, but his overall record suggests that he’s no good thing to back that latest effort up.
3. CLARENDON HOUSE (Robert Cowell, Silvestre De Sousa) 15/1
Progressive four-time winner at 3, and he’s taken a step forward as a 4yo. Only a head behind Raasel (attempted to concede 5lb) in a course and distance handicap back in April, form which reads well now. Sole victory from four subsequent outings came in a Beverley conditions event, however, with the three defeats all coming in pattern races. Less exposed than most but it must be noted that he’s done his winning in fields of 6-5-6-5-3.
4. EQUILATERAL (Charles Hills, Kieran Shoemark) 6/1
Off the track for over 14 months before a fine 66/1 King’s Stand fifth, which showed that he’d retained all of his talent. Endured absolutely no run behind Raasel and Mitbaahy in the Coral Charge subsequently but got a clearer passage when third in a Curragh Group 2 just under a fortnight ago. Always susceptible to a young improver and he’s with no win in Britain since September 2019, but on his recent efforts, he must enter calculations.
5. EXISTENT (Stuart Williams, Marco Ghiani) 14/1
Picked up for 62,000 guineas last September and he’s done well since joining current connections, winning only twice (both on all-weather over the winter) but putting up a career-best when a neck second to Khaadem in the Palace House earlier this season. Hasn’t quite matched that effort in three subsequent runs, albeit not beaten far in the Coral Charge last time. Balance of form (0-7 at Group level) suggests that he’s likely to come up short here.
6. KHAADEM (Charles Hills, Ryan Moore) 13/2
2019 Stewards Cup winner who made a winning British return when landing the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in April. Sensibly deemed a non-runner in the King’s Stand subsequently after sitting down in the stalls. Obviously has no issues with this track, and Ryan Moore looks like a notable booking, but it’s a slight concern that he’s 0-7 above Group 3 level and this looks more competitive than the Palace House.
7. PONNTOS (Miroslav Nieslanik, Frankie Dettori) 10/1
Czech Republic-based colt who finished sixth in last year’s Abbaye. Seemingly better than ever when landing a Longchamp Group 3 on seasonal debut, making all to score impressively under Frankie Dettori, with last year’s King George winner Suesa back in third. Came up well short in the King’s Stand subsequently, however, and although Dettori is now back aboard, he may need softer ground to be seen at his best; likely pace angle.
8. RAASEL (Michael Appleby, James Doyle) 7/2
Ultra-progressive sprinter who’s proven a credit to his connections, winning eight of his last ten starts, including two handicaps over this course and distance. Has taken his form to a new level with victories in the Listed Achilles Stakes and Group 3 Coral Charge the last twice, albeit he may have been a little fortunate the last day. Has to be respected given his current mood and course record, for all that this demands a career-best.
9. CATURRA (Clive Cox, Tom Marquand) 14/1
Speedy juvenile who got up late to land the Flying Childers at Doncaster in September. Hasn’t managed to add to his tally in four starts at 3, finishing a beaten favourite twice, for all that he did encounter trouble in running on more than one occasion. Yard excels with similar types but a 5l York Listed defeat earlier this month leaves him with something to prove upped to this level; cheekpieces go on.
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0PS
United Kingdom
Goodwood Racecourse
One of the most popular tracks in the country, Goodwood hosts numerous top-class races during the summer. The summer fixture, known as Glorious Goodwood, features five days of top-class action including the Group 1 Sussex Stakes amongst a clutch of pattern races and top-quality handicaps. The track is undulating and favours horses that race close to the pace, particularly on the round course as the field are racing around a gradual bend for much of the contest.
10. MITBAAHY (Roger Varian, David Egan) 7/2
Form figures this season read an impressive 2112, looking all speed when landing the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown last month. Only just failed to supplement that in the Coral Charge last time, where he was denied a clear run. More than likely would have beaten Raasel there with a smoother passage, so for all that he’s a pound worse off today, he should still reverse the form. Less exposed than most and comes out the best on these terms; big chance.
11. VERTIGINOUS (Brian Meehan, Sean Levey) 25/1
Danced some good dances as a juvenile, running big races in defeat in the likes of the Queen Mary and Lowther. Claimed the scalp of Mitbaahy in an Ayr Listed contest back in September, but her only run this campaign came when trailing home last of ten in the Sandy Lane at Haydock. Something clearly to prove on the back of that and her Ayr win remains her only victory from eight starts.
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Verdict
Acklam Express was a winner at this meeting in 2020 and comes into this on the back of a fine third in the King’s Stand, but his profile suggests that he’s one to tread carefully with in regard to backing that up. Preference goes to MITBAAHY, who very well may have been coming into this bidding for a four-timer had he not endured a troubled run in the Coral Charge last time. He’s less exposed than most in this line-up yet still comes out best at the weights, so this speedy sort rates the one to be with. Equilateral has done well since returning from an absence, and whilst he hasn’t found winning easily, he should run his usual solid race. Raasel is a dual course and distance winner and has proven a credit to his connections, but he may just find the penalty carrying Lazuli too strong in a battle for third place.
- MITBAAHY
- Equilateral
- Lazuli
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