Coral have opened betting on six of this summer's most prestigious Group 1 races, the Lockinge Stakes, the Golden Jubilee Stakes, the Kings Stand Stakes, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Prince of Wales Stakes, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Reflecting the increasing globalization of British flat racing, four of these Group One betting markets are headed by foreign raiders from outside of Europe.

Sacred Kingdom from Hong Kong is the 5/1 favourite with Coral for the Golden Jubilee, while the Australian raider, Takeover Target is 8/1 joint favourite for the Kings Stand and the South African mare Sun Classique is 6/1 favourite for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and 5/1 joint favourite for the Prince of Wales Stakes.

"It looks a vintage Flat season on paper and our betting markets contain a host of top class flat horses from every corner of the globe. If some or all of these stars turn up from places as far flung as Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and South Africa, we are in for a very memorable summer", said Simon Clare, Coral Spokesman.

"Over the last few years ante post betting has surged in popularity and all bookmakers are offering more markets, earlier than ever before. However, when it comes to offering betting on the best races worldwide we are determined to keep Coral firmly at the head of the pack", added Clare.

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