King George Stakes 2013

3.50 Ascot

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Betfair) (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £603,962

Advice: 3 pts win Cirrus Des Aigles ( 13/8 Stan James, 6/4 general), 1 pt win Novelist (13/2 Coral, 6/1 general) 

Ante Post: 2 pts win Cirrus Des Aigles (5/1 Hills, 24th June) 

Cirrus Des Aigles: One of the finest middle distance performers around and has been for last two years, winning 2011 Champions’ Stakes and Dubai Sheema Classic when beating St Nicolas Abbey (only Frankel rated his superior last year after epic battle between the two in Champion Stakes (ground suited Cirrus but still a fine effort); Now 7 but if at his best after traditional pipe opener in Grand Prix De Saint Cloud then no reason to think he’s not in a different league to his rivals at best.

Ektihaam: Only now beginning to fulfil potential he showed in 3yo season, third in high class running of Sandown Group 3 on reappearance for which he promised to improve and duly did when pummelling opposition in Listed race here over C&D from the front; Attempting to do the same and had a handy lead when slipping in the Hardwicke at Royal Meeting;  Jockey that day felt he was on way to winning this a different league to what he faced there.

Novelist: Progressed from his second in German Derby (lost out to a class act who has won open Group 1’s since, went into the race as 4/6 favourite) to land two Group 1’s, including Grand Prix De Saint Cloud latest from Dunaden; Had Cirrus well behind that day, but likely that rival will be much better today; Still worthy of great respect.

Red Cadeux: Finally got the Grade 1 that he deserved last season after years of globetrotting when beating Jaguar Mail in Hong Kong Vase and solid pair of international efforts afterwards but beaten long way in Prince of Wales’s Stakes and this doesn’t augur well for today.

Universal: One of the seasons most consistent improvers, winning John Porter, Jockey Club, and Princes of Wales’s Stakes from the front with tenacity; Very game but beaten in the toughest of those tests, the Hardwicke Stakes, and hard to see him taking this for all he’s proven very hard to pass so far.

Very Nice Name: Rapid improver over the winter in Qatar, completing 5 timer in Listed race before third to St Nicholas Abbey and Gentildonna in the Sheema Classic; If able to repeat that form on first start since late March, then he would have to be taken seriously here, but that comes on trust.

Hillstar: Always been highly rated by those at Freemason Lodge and rewarded that faith in fine style when landing King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Meeting, coming from behind to catch Derby fourth and numerous group placed Battle Of Marengo, although he was the beneficiary of a tired runner up receiving weight; Potential to take big step forward but this a giant leap and may not have as much fall into his lap.

Trading Leather: Smart 2yo (unsuited by ground in Racing Post Trophy) and come on leaps and bounds this season, second in Dante, third in Irish Guineas and comfortable winner of strong Listed event before landing Irish Derby in hard fought style latest; Some of the Epsom horses running there flopped big time which takes the gloss off but may still improve once again and

VERDICT: If CIRRUS DES AIGLES is on top form then he’s in a different league to his rivals and with his comeback under his belt he’s backed to turnaround the tables with NOVELIST from Saint Cloud and gain his much deserved day in the spotlight. The German raider looks to be the best of the rest however, and well worth a saver at 6/1 to cover the eventuality that he should cover the form ahead of Trading Leather, who may still have more to offer for Jim Bolger.