The King George is always a summer highlight and Saturday's renewal looks vintage, while the supporting card is pretty decent too.
1:30 Longines Handicap (Ladies Race) 7f
This is a tough start to what promises to be a cracking day's racing. Nothing can be backed with any confidence but DABBERS RIDGE should go well under three-time champion lady rider Carol Bartley. The eight-year-old has been in great heart this season winning three times, the latest coming at Wolverhampton last week, and will be hard to keep out of the frame.
2:05 Jaguar XK Winkfield Stakes (Listed Race) 7f
Richard Hannon's two-year-olds have been in unstoppable form and his AULD BURNS can keep up the good work. The expensive colt gave connections an instant return on their investment when making a successful debut at Salisbury in June and the form was given a boost when the runner-up Waiter's Dream bolted up on his next start. This is a step up in class but I fancy he can maintain his unbeaten record at the expense of Toolain.
2:40 Princess Margaret Abu Dhabi Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 6f
All 12 runners have tasted success but one filly stands out on form, the Albany Stakes second MARGOT DID. After breezing through her first two starts, Michael Bell's filly met her match at Royal Ascot in the shape of Memory but that was no disgrace as the winner has since followed up in the Cherry Hinton and is arguably the best juvenile filly seen out this season. A reproduction of that effort should see her back in the winner's enclosure. Soraaya has plenty of scope for improvement and looks the danger.
3:15 Dubai Duty Free Handicap 1m
Side Glance appreciated the return to 7f when winning here last time and shapes as though he'll improve further up to 1m. However, I just prefer the chances of MISS RALLY, who also gives the impression a mile will suit having just failed to catch Kakatosi (a winner since) when reappearing in a 7f Sandown handicap last time. The handicapper has raised him 5lb but I fancy there is more to come and conditions are ideal.
3:50 Victoria Racing Club International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 7f
This prestigious handicap has a new sponsor but it could be the same old story for punters. Since 2000, favourite backers are 0/10 with just two places in this period, and a 40/1 winner last year shows that this is one race which can throw up a shock result. A win for MAC'S POWER (16/1 bet365) wouldn't be that much of a shock, though, as he looked a horse going places when winning at Doncaster two starts ago and is trained by a man with plenty of big handicaps to his name in James Fanshawe. For some reason, he didn't run his race at York last time but connections clearly have not lost faith by aiming him so high.
If there's going to be another 'shock' winner, it could be provided by GALLAGHER (33/1 Paddy Power), who ran as well as could be expected from poor draws in both the Wokingham and Bunbury Cup and should do better this time.
4:25 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes Sponsored By Betfair (Group 1) 1m4f
I have previewed this race elsewhere and am confident that Workforce, who broke the track record when winning the Derby by seven lengths, will be too good for his rivals. He was an odds-on shot at the beginning of the week but with bookmakers seemingly out to get him, he has drifted out to a very backable 11/10 (Coral, William Hill).
Selections:-
1.30 Dabbers Ridge (each-way)
2.05 Auld Burns (next best)
2.40 Margot Did
3.15 Miss Rally
3.50 Mac's Power & Gallagher (each-way)
4.25 Workforce (nap)
