King George 2010

Here it is... One of the races of the summer, summed up by me to hopefully kickstart a summer of great racing!!

4.25 Ascot
King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Betfair) (Group 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £567,700

Pick: Cape Blanco (each/way)

Confront: Smart miler last year but has lost his form in 2010; Likely to act as a pacemaker.

Harbinger: Talked of as Derby candidate but missed race last year, move which is reaping rewards now; Took Gordon Stakes easily but subsequent disappointments in Great Voltigeur and the St Simon Stakes at Newbury meant he ended the season on a low note; Looks better than ever as a four year old, having bolted up on all 3 starts this year, with the form looking solid; This may be Group 1 debut but he has always been good enough; Peslier superb booking.

Youmzain: Has great record in all big races, and held his form well thought last season again, coming second in the Arc again(ignore his run in Hong Kong as he was snatched up around the turn); Has taken more time to find his form this year but right in it given strong pace and small field; Clsoely matched with improving Darakayana.

Dar Re Mi: Made a huge effort to finish fifth behind Sea The Stars in the Arc after racking up a hat trick of Group 1 wins with wins in the Pretty Polly, Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermille; May have even improved again to land Sheema Classic, and while she was well beaten in Eclipse, this is much more her race.

Darykanana: Started last year in small races but ended it one of best in world, winning Hong Kong Vase with withering run; Hasn’t had thing go her way on both of her starts this season, being unlucky to not beat both Youmzain and Plumania last time out; Fascinating contender.

Cape Blanco: Made his debut in conditions company as a 2 year old and made it a winning one, fighting on strongly to get the better of decent looking Balgioni; Unbeaten in 2 further starts last year, taking the eye when easily winning Tyros Stakes and then following up in Futurity Stakes; Romped home with Dante Stakes, beating Workforce very easily; Obviously things have changed since then (Workforce breaking Derby track record, Cape Blanco finishing unplaced in French version) but his Irish Derby win too some guts, and he’s a major player.

Workforce: Made highly promising start to career when 6-length winner of 7f maiden at Goodwood on only start, quickening through from rear; That showed immense promise but nothing like how impressive he would be when breaking track record to win Derby by seen lengths; The form of that race has gradually worsened, but he did beat them silly that day; This is his biggest test yet.

VERDICT: One of the best races of the summer, which promises to tell all about the strength of various crops and races. This all revolves around Workforce, exhilarating winner of the Derby on his last start, having been given time to recover from that tremendous effort. Based on the visual impression that he left, a price of evs is fair enough although a little short. Harbinger has always been up to this level, so no surprise to see him win. Peslier is a great booking as he rides Ascot as well as anyone. On a value note, 13/2 about CAPE BLANCO for an each/way bet isn’t terrible value given that he has beaten Workforce and should be able to give Harbinger and the rest a race.While Dar Re Mi was well beaten in the Eclipse, this is much more her race. Youmzain should go close again, but the outsider I fancy most has to be DARYKANA, a classy French filly who started last year in small races but ended it one of best in world, winning Hong Kong Vase with a withering run. She could take this.