Gordon's King George Stakes 2012

3.45 Goodwood

Gordon's King George Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £56,710

Advice: 2 pts win, 2 pts place Ortensia (13/2 general, 6/4 general)

Ortensia: Top class mare who looked set to take high rank in 5f sprinting division after Group 1 double in Australia and Dubai, beating several Group 1 winners in latter in exceptional style; Disappointed in Britain so far based upon that, but got herself worked up badly before that and best forgiven, while she ran a screamer on heavy ground in July Cup at Newmarket, labouring into fourth on ground she hated.

Amour Propre: Back to something like his best when landing Irish Group 3 last season but below the best for a while despite last year’s second in this; Last in King’s Stand Stakes; Others make more appeal.

Confessional: Proven himself to be on verge of group class this year with close second to Calendonia Lady (would have been a lucky winner) in Coral Charge; Behind Hamish McGonagall last time in ninth and might want more rain.

Elusivity: First win of the year when beating useful Elnawin on soft ground at 5f (Newmarket) latest, that coming after a succession of decent efforts in exalted company; Best with rain and cut in surface.

Hamish McGonagall: Deserved second win of season when getting there late (but always winning) in York Listed event latest; All wins come there, Musselburgh and Chester which might raise suspicions that he’s not suited to this kind of course; Should be thereabouts.

Humidor: Well beaten in this race 12 months ago, the only time he’s not won over 5f-6f here; Beaten on next 5 starts since winning Listed event at Doncaster a while back; Not upto this level.

Masamah: Clear cut winner of this last year but not reached the same heights since, and disappointing end to 2011 not been turned around this season either; At his best, can challenge, and too soon to cast aside, for all that he’s got to

Noble Storm: When at his best, useful front runner who won the 3yo handicap at this meet in 2009; Unable to get led in this last year so couldn’t show best, but been well beaten all runs this year and vulnerable.

Pabusar: Good York run behind Hamish McCongall latest, his best run for a good while; Won 6f maiden on his only other track start here so handles course but looks a level below the best of them here.

Secret Asset: Short neck second in Prix L’Abbaye at the backend of last season; Poor and well held eighth in Dubai in Al Quoz but better last time when third in Krisflyer Sprint in Singapore, staying on takingly into third, and shame he couldn’t back it up with conditions possibly to suit when

Sprit Quartz: Running well in defeat since his move to Britain, placing in succession of top races and then coming as close as he’s done to winning sprint at pattern level and only just beaten a length into fourth in Coral Charge; Should be there or thereabouts but hard to fancy winwise.

Stone Of Folca: Set a new world record for the fastest time over 5 furlongs but helped in no way but the track (fastest 5f course in the world) and also the ground as it was that day; Unplaced back in group company at Royal Ascot latest and much more needed here to think of threatening.

Tangerine Trees: Capped off fine year when winning the L’Abbaye just two starts ago and not done badly since, going far too fast under penalty when not fit in Temple Stakes and running respectably in the King’s Stand; Sure to go well here.

Beyond Desire: Strong front running mare at this trip, as shown with wins at Bath and Chantilly in Listed/Group 3 events respectively on first two starts of the year; That tactic fruitless last time in Group 2 and with several others clambering for lead, sure to be under pressure from the word go.

Stepper Point: Ahead of Hamis McGonagall in the Prix Du Gros Chene at Chantilly but disappointing at Ascot and York afterwards and blinkers on now; Others make more appeal.

Angels Will Fall: Useful 2 year old, winning a Group 3 at Ascot last year along with other placed efforts (third in Chevley Park); Trained on this year with third in Listed race at Windsor and then when travelling well to win 5f Fillies Listed event latest; Well fancies off back of that and understandably so but this a lot harder.

Excelette: Got the better of Sprit Quarts by just a neck two starts ago at Haydock in Listed event latest and just ¾ of a length behind Angels Will Fall in Listed event latest; Now 4lbs better off with that rival although she was well beaten in the end (winner did it well); Quite a bit to find.

VERDICT: ORTENSIA has 4 wins from 6 starts in 5 furlong races and has gotten nowhere near a fair chance to show her ability in the UK, upsetting herself at Royal Scot and then foundering in Heavy ground at Newmakret in the July Cup. On a sound surface, she should really take the beating with connections staying for the Nunthorpe after her first two runs, despite a 7lbs penalty for Group 1 wins. Tangerine Trees and Sprit Quartz may be the main threats, while Masamah hasn’t shown his best this season although one would suggest that he could have needed his first two runs – the filly Angels Will Fall is attracting lots of attention and she looked classy last time but this is a much stiffer contest.