15:05 Ascot
Good To FirmKing George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
- First Prize: £61848
- 1m 3f 211y
- Class 2
- 22 runners
ITV
Runners: 22 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Sunny
Form: 1-37
OR: 100
W: 9st 9lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Justified favouritism at Lingfield (1m, AW) in December on debut; he could not lay a glove on the principals this term in a novice at Newmarket or the Group 2 Dante at York, both over 1m2f on good ground, and his seventh of eight when 28-1 in the latter seems to have lumbered him with a stiff opening mark today; 1m4f will probably suit him (backed up by two smart brothers) and he is also blinkered first time, but others have more solid claims.
Form: 212-3
OR: 97
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Dam is sister to dual Arc winner Treve; 8-1, good third of ten in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) on his seasonal/handicap debut; raised 2lb but there's a big chance he can raise his game again with that run under his belt and this extra 2f.
Form: 2-21 D
OR: 95
W: 9st 4lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
500,000euros yearling by Sea The Stars; runner-up to notable rivals on testing ground on first two starts; 4-5 when going one better in an eight-runner maiden at Leopardstown (1m4f, good) last month, leading 2f out and gradually asserting to finish well on top; that race has produced winners since and this colt has big-race entries; promising.
Form: 1-15 D
OR: 93
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Got up close home at Haydock (7f, good) last July in his only 2yo start and reappeared with a clearcut novice win at Southwell (1m4f, AW) in April; never able to challenge in a steadily run French Listed race (1m4f, very soft) five weeks ago, coming fifth of eight but earning his highest rating; could easily remain capable of better but it is needed.
Form: 222116 D
OR: 92
W: 9st 1lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Blinkered on last four starts; asserted late on in a 1m3f maiden at Southwell (AW) in April and stormed clear in seven-runner handicap at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) two weeks later; only sixth of ten in the London Gold Cup at Newbury in May but he stayed on from last place and that was over just 1m2f; this return to 1m4f looks a far better fit.
Form: 24-32 BF
OR: 91
W: 9st 0lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
800,000gns Sea The Stars yearling, brother to multiple Group 3 winner Al Aasy (1m2f-1m5f); turned over at odds-on in three of his four starts but brings some serious form to today's handicap debut, having been third in blanket finish to a strong novice at Newbury (1m2f, good; hooded) on reappearance and second to Galiyan, who was sixth when favourite for yesterday's Queen's Vase, in maiden at Chester (1m4f, good); gelded since and now tongue tied.
Form: 10-259
OR: 90
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
2-3 as 2yo and best form when second on handicap/seasonal debut at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) in April; however, the heavy defeats when finishing last in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and a Goodwood handicap, both at about 1m4f, seem to be powerful negatives.
Form: 3-31
OR: 89
W: 8st 12lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
All three races were Irish maidens in the mud, 1-3 when winning on the nod at Cork (10.5f) in early May; ground it out from the front that day; now tongue tied first time; makes handicap debut, for trainer who runs four.
Form: 14-42
OR: 89
W: 8st 12lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Perhaps unsuited by soft ground and/or front-running on second start, as he's otherwise improved his rating every time; tongue tied for minor honours in two median auction races (1m and 10.5f) this term and, despite his pedigree, 1m4f for handicap debut looks interesting on the latest evidence.
OUR TIP
Form: 33-1
OR: 89
W: 8st 12lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Third in his two maidens as 2yo, before winning one against 15 rivals in a good duel at Cork (10.5f, good to yielding) in April; runner-up took same position behind Cannes three weeks later; Sea The Stars colt who looks scopey and open to plenty of improvement, including at 1m4f; one of four handicap debutants in this for his yard; very much one to note.
Form: 421 D
OR: 88
W: 8st 11lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Frankel half-sister to four winners, notably 2022 Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip; improver in her three Irish maidens (AW/good) and wore a hood in last two; latest was an easy win by nearly 9l when upped to 1m4f at Dundalk; handicap newcomer who should have more to offer.
Form: 122
OR: 88
W: 8st 11lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won debut at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in February; outgunned by yesterday's Queen's Vase fifth Ravenspire at Southwell (1m4f, AW) in March but found his stride a little too late when pipped in a handicap at Sandown (1m2f, good; winner took the London Gold Cup next time) in April, so a return to 1m4f looks very much in order; up 5lb but strongly considered.
Form: 41-6
OR: 87
W: 8st 10lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Made all in a novice at Newmarket (1m, good) in October on second start; beaten 13l when sixth of eight in Listed race at Sandown (1m, good) three weeks ago but he's by a good stamina influence in Camelot and this is a major step up in trip for handicap debut.
Form: 6-2222 BF
OR: 86
W: 8st 9lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Maiden after seven races, runner-up in all four since joining George Boughey; three of those were handicaps (8.6f/1m2f) so he should be far more exposed than most of today's rivals, but he has been improving (wore cheekpieces last time) and 1m4f now looks worth a go.
Form: 354-21
OR: 86
W: 8st 9lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Started his career in a Listed race but it wasn't until his fifth start that he got off the mark, showing improved form with a switch to front-running in a maiden at Navan (1m2f, yielding); saw off a serious challenge that day and there's enough stamina in the family for 1m4f to be interesting.
Form: 51-11 D
OR: 85
W: 8st 8lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Unraced on firmer than good; scored at Bath (1m, soft) last October on second start, narrowly obliged in handicap at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) in March and went in again at York (1m4f, good) five weeks ago; travelled smoothly and asserted gamely in 14-runner handicap the last time, which has seen him raised 10lb since but he's probably not reached his ceiling yet.
Form: 3-21
OR: 85
W: 8st 8lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Favourite on all three starts, placed twice before winning 11-runner maiden at Newbury (1m2f, good) five weeks ago and it looked as if 1m4f would help; runner-up has been a wide-margin winner since; from a famous family and should bring potential to this handicap debut.
Form: 41-131 D
OR: 85
W: 8st 8lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Pontefract 1m2f winner (soft) as 2yo; contested three 1m4f handicaps this season and came a creditable third at Chester (good) in between winning twice in small fields on AW; latest win was despite veering badly right, away from the whip; up 4lb and, although he may have more in the tank, this race looks so much harder.
Form: 842
OR: 85
W: 8st 8lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Second start was vastly better than his debut and he improved again when front-running second of eight in a novice at Chepstow (1m2f, good to firm) three weeks ago; the winner runs in Friday's Group 2 King Edward VII, albeit at likely big odds; dark horse who is warming to his task and may well stay 1m4f, but this handicap debut comes in a fiercely competitive race.
Form: 8-21 D
OR: 83
W: 8st 6lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Reserve; emerged in second when following yesterday's Queen's Vase contender Wareeth at a respectful distance in novice at Salisbury (1m2f, good) on second start; confirmed suitability for 1m4f when winning a three-runner novice at Beverley (good to firm) 19 days ago, upsetting a 1-2 favourite and shaping like a stayer; more to give but this handicap debut is tough.
Form: 5311 D
OR: 83
W: 8st 6lb
Age: 3 yo Gelding
Reserve; won a Kempton maiden (1m4f, AW) in March on third start; 16-1 when kicked in the stalls and withdrawn before his intended handicap/turf debut against Arc Ole Ole at York in May, but justified 11-10 favouritism with a relentless late challenge in five-runner handicap at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) 17 days ago; up 7lb and into a much better race, but capable of better.
Form: 443-41
OR: 82
W: 8st 5lb
Age: 3 yo Gelding
Reserve; clear promise before he justified 5-4 favouritism in 11-runner handicap at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) four weeks ago, travelling much the smoothest before he carried his head awkwardly but still drew just over 3l clear; dam French 12.5f winner; up 7lb but still brings potential.
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Betting Forecast
10/1 Guildmaster, 15/2 Tierra Del Toro, 11/1 Cannes, 33/1 Birgham Dub, 10/1 Al Azd, 8/1 Joulany, 66/1 Amora Queen, 16/1 Atomic City, 20/1 Dial Me In, 12/1 Enceladus, 12/1 Believed, 11/2 Into The Light, 18/1 Golden Knight, 20/1 Waterford Castle, 33/1 Genchev, 12/1 Arc Ole Ole, 13/2 Heyzoom, 25/1 Galilean Quality, 33/1 Blue Hercules, 25/1 Whos Lope, 28/1 Charles Darnay, 20/1 Bnaider
Verdict
Arc Ole Ole needs plenty of respect in his bid to complete a four-timer, despite the 10lb higher mark, and this race has been won from very high draws in the last three renewals. Tierra Del Toro and Into The Light also make appeal with the promise shown last time out in British 1m2f handicaps. Joseph O’Brien may hold the key this time, though, with his batch of unexposed handicap newcomers, of whom the pick may be ENCELADUS ahead of Cannes. They top the list, with slight preference for Enceladus who may well be the one open to the most improvement.[Richard Austen]