AUGUSTE RODIN can land the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (British Champions Series) (3.40pm) at Ascot on Saturday afternoon.
Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old blew out in this midsummer middle-distance championship contest 12 months ago. But on the good to firm ground he enjoys he can be on a going day and land the Group One feature at the Berkshire track. The son of Deep Impact has been hit-and-miss throughout his career so far. But when he is on his game, he is up there with the best middle distance performers in training.
A Group One winner as a juvenile, he has added five more successes at the top level, most recently over 1m2f in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at last month’s Royal Ascot at this Berkshire track. That dispelled any notion he didn’t like Ascot, which was possibly thought to be part of the reason why he trailed in a distant last of 10 in last year’s King George. He had won both the English and Irish Derbies before that, grabbing Classic glory having bombed out in his first crack in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last May.
A similarly defeat in the Dubai Sheema Classic in Meydan was again at odds with his brilliant Breeders’ Cup Turf victory at Santa Anita on his final run of last season. He has proven just as adept over 1m2f and 1m4f, winning the Irish Champion Stakes last September and in his Royal Ascot victory this season. A strong galloper, who stays well, he is certainly the one they have to beat again stepped back up to 1m4f.
Of course, those blowouts mean he could easily throw in a below-par effort, particularly if there was any big rainfall. But the forecast appears to be for dry weather and it looks all set fair for Auguste Rodin to land a magnificent seventh Group One victory to provide his Ballydoyle trainer a fifth success in the midsummer showpiece 23 years on from the mighty Galileo giving him a first victory.
Stable-mate Luxembourg – a winner of the Group One Coronation Stakes at Epsom in June – is also a top-class performer and the five-year-old son of Camelot could easily chase Auguste Rodin home and bring up a one-two for O’Brien. Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking and the Charlie Appleby-trained Rebel’s Romance, to be ridden again by Liverpool FC fan and jockey William Buick, are others who could easily profit if Auguste Rodin wasn’t on song.
Ollie Sangster’s SIMMERING – a good second to the talented Fairy Godmother in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot last month – can go one better over course and distance to win the Group Three Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes (Fillies) (1.50pm).
The Appleby-trained DEVOTED QUEEN – unbeaten in four career starts, including in a Listed event at York in May – can maintain that perfect record, under Godolphin stable jockey Buick, in the Group Three Longines Valiant Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (2.25pm).
The Michael Dods-trained NORTHERN EXPRESS can land a well-deserved success in the Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (3pm). The six-year-old has been running well in these big-field seven-furlong handicaps all season, without getting his head in front. He has finished runner-up twice at York and was fifth in the Buckingham Palace Stakes over course and distance at the Royal meeting. The consistent Northern Express is almost certain to be in the mix at the finish and despite running off his highest handicap mark may get his head in front ahead of chiefly, Mick Appleby’s Billyjoh – who was second in the Buckingham Palace.
Others who can win at Ascot are Charlie Appleby’s AL MISBAR in the British EBF Crocker Bulteel ‘Confined’ Maiden Stakes (Not Run More Than Once) (1.15pm); the Jamie Osbourne-trained SEAN in the Betfred Handicap (4.50pm); and SPANGLED MAC, from the George Boughey stable, in the Whispering Angel Handicap (5.25pm).
At York KING'S GAMBIT may get the better of Passenger and Alflaila to win the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15pm). Sir Michael Stoute’s Passenger and last year’s winner Alflaila, from the Owen Burrows’ stable, are the most likely winners on form. But the former is returning after a setback and will have the Group One Juddmonte International on the Knavesmire as his main aim. While the latter has only run once this season. With that in mind a chance is taken on the rapidly-improving King’s Gambit scoring for Harry Charlton.
The three-year-old, who gets 11lb and 9lb weight for age allowance from the two market leaders, was hugely impressive winning the always-informative London Gold Cup at Newbury in May. He gave himself too much to do when a fast-finishing second to Jayarebe in the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes. He is likely to be ridden more positively in this smaller field this time and he can prove he has the ability to be a Group-race performer and continue his progress by lowering the colours of his more illustrious rivals.
Tim Easterby’s MANILA SCOUSE is another consistent performer in these big sprint handicaps and may get his head in front in the Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.40pm). The five-year-old won at Hamilton last month and may go in again.
Others who can win on the Knavesmire are David O’Meara’s ZOZIMUS in the Sky Bet Prize Drop Handicap (4.35pm); the Bryan Smart-trained PRINCESS KARINE, to be ridden by dual champion National Hunt jockey Brian Hughes, in the Sky Bet ‘Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe’ Handicap (To Be Ridden By Professional Jump Jockeys) (2.05pm); ZIGGY, from the Harry Eustace stable, in the Betting Better With Sky Bet Handicap (5.10pm); and Adrian Keatley’s BILL'S BAAR in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap (5.40pm).
At Chester Darryl Holland’s EVOCATIVE SPARK can end a run of near misses to get his head back in front and win the Printworks Handicap (3.20pm), under Liverpool jockey and Roodee specialist Franny Norton.
Norton could have a successful day at his favourite track with Ian Williams’ GREEN TEAM having a good chance of victory in the the Kingkabs Handicap (2.45pm) and the Lisa Williamson-trained RED WALLS, from the plum stall one, potentially giving the Scouse jockey victory in the Edinburgh Gin Handicap (4.40pm).
The well-drawn Richard Fahey-trained course and distance winner GARFIELD SHADOW can take the Greenhous DAF Handicap (4.05). While others who can triumph on the Roodee are Donald McCain’s PAWS FOR THOUGHT, also in stall one, in the five-furlong sprint, the Sensee Operations Ltd T/A TCC Handicap (5.15pm); and the Williams-trained course scorer DREAM HARDER, also under Norton, in the finale, the Servus Handicap (5.50pm).
At Newcastle dual Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell can win on the Flat with JOHNNY RINGO in the Gainford Group Beeswing Ladies Day Handicap (3.50pm). While Harry Charlton’s course and distance winner BALTIC can bring up a four-timer in the County Hotel Handicap (2.35pm); and the Tristan Davidson-trained GRANDAD BOB can take the finale, the Hudson Handicap (5.30pm).
Wright Ones
ASCOT
1.15pm Al Misbar
1.50pm Simmering
2.25pm Devoted Queen
3pm Northern Express
3.40pm Auguste Rodin
4.15pm Chancellor
4.50pm Sean
5.25pm Spangled Mac
YORK
2.05pm Princess Karine
2.40pm Manila Scouse (NAP)
3.15pm King's Gambit
4pm Beauty Queen
4.35pm Zozimus
5.10pm Ziggy
5.40pm Bill's Baar
CHESTER
2.10pm Seagolazo
2.45pm Green Team
3.20pm Evocative Spark
4.05pm Garfield Shadow
4.40pm Red Walls
5.20pm Paws For Thought
5.50pm Dream Harder
NEWCASTLE
2pm Wallaroo
2.35pm Baltic
3.10pm Bear Kode
3.50pm Johnny Ringo
4.25pm Little Ted
5pm John Kirkup
5.30pm Grandad Bob
SALISBURY
6pm Simply Blue
6.30pm Mick’s Spirit
7pm Jodhpur Blue
7.30pm Moe’s Legacy
8pm Blacklion
8.30pm Dancingwithmyself
LINGFIELD
5.15pm Red Cloud
5.45pm Scylla
6.15pm Love Is The Law
6.45pm Bobby Dassler
7.15pm Miss Stormy Night
7.45pm Milliethemollie
8.15pm Nordic Glory
SUNDAY’S NAP: Point Lynas (Pontefract 3.12pm)