The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the premier prize on offer this Saturday. With Ascot’s card full of top-class action, GG tipster Joe Napier has four best bets, including a potential history-maker in the big race…
1.40 Ascot – Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes (Group 3)
It has been six years since a filly won this juvenile Group 3 on her second start, in which time Charlie Appleby has sent out two favourites, one of whom was odds-on, and both have finished outside of the places. Dance To The Music has promise based on her debut, but there are reasons to oppose her.
The more experienced FLOWERHEAD looks to have the form and ability to be challenging for favouritism. Charlie Clover’s filly overcame odds of 100/1 to run a massive race for second in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at the royal meeting and that form could not have received a much bigger boost than when the winner, True Love, subsequently bolted in in the Railway Stakes in her native Ireland last weekend.
Other elements of that form are working out too and Flowerhead was the clear best on her far side of the track. She stayed right through the line over that 5f trip, so looks ready for the step up to 6f. Her sire Starman’s progeny may be in their first season, but there are already three Group winners over this trip, plus won over 7½f, which points to this being a likely distance for the selection.
2.20 Ascot – Longies Valiant Stakes (Group 3)
This looks a very open Group 3, owing mainly to the fact that Chantilly Lace, fifth in both the 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes, is the favourite here. This represents a drop in class, but she remains unproven, while the rest of the three-year-old contingent would also require a step forward.
Royal Dress heads the market among the older runners, but it was a very presentable opportunity she took advantage of in Listed company at Pontefract and this should be tougher. Rated just 2lb below her is Irish raider JANCIS, who appeals as an unexposed four-year-old with more to offer.
She won her first two starts last season comfortably, including a Group 3 over 7f, but she has generally been highly tried since. Twice she has been behind the top class filly Porta Fortuna, while she was not disgraced in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes upped in trip last time out. Back to 1m, over which she was second under a penalty at Listed level to start this season, she has untapped potential to score again in this company.
Saturday Racing Free Bets & Betting Offers
| Bookmaker | Offer | Claim Offer |
| Sky Bet | Bet 5p Get £30 In Free Bets | Claim Sky Bet Offer |
| Dabble | Completely Free £10 Bet – No Deposit! | Claim Dabble Offer |
| BetMGM | Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets | Claim BetMGM Offer |
| bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets | Claim bet365 Offer |
3.35 Ascot – Betfred Handicap
Piling in on favourites at short prices in 17-runner handicaps is not a strategy to heed regularly, but BULLET POINT could still have loads in hand in this King George appetiser. William Haggas’ charge is surely Group class.
Things did not click immediately, but Haggas has brought the four-year-old along gradually, as he ultimately earned his first victory at the fifth attempt. Since then, he discovered a habit, winning twice on the Rowley Mile to go up a further 16lb in the handicap until contesting the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot in June.
Leading all the way against the far rail, Tom Marquand drove for everything only to be downed by hot favourite My Cloud down the stands side. Connections can consider him a very unlucky loser, but as he would likely have gone up a significant amount in the handicap had he won, a 3lb rise looks very lenient.
4.10 Ascot – King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes
It’s disappointing that there is no representative for the Classic generation, but it may have presented an opportunity for a shot at history as REBEL’S ROMANCE can be the oldest winner of a King George aged seven.
Jan Brueghel and Calandagan set the standard, with the latter feared most given how easily he won over course and distance at Royal Ascot 2024. However, he may not be the most thorough stayer at this distance, while Rebel’s Romance seems underrated compared to Jan Brueghel considering he is a seven-time Group 1 winner to the Ballydoyle charge’s two.
That may owe to him finishing third in this race last season, but the selection was the only runner up with the pace to remain remotely in touch with Goliath and Bluestocking ahead of him. Of those chasing the furious gallop, he was six lengths clear of the remainder, so off an ordinary tempo, he could still deliver at this level on these shores, with his dominant Hardwicke Stakes victory last month getting a big boost from the runner-up last weekend.
