Ascot King George VI weekend....

King George VI Weekend at Ascot Racecourse, July 22nd-23rd...

My how the time flies, honestly can't believe my last blog post was back in May from Epsom's Breakfast with the Stars, what happened to June?!  Anyhow, i'm back to my blogging ways before starting a new film next week and this post is talking all things Ascot again, this time it's all about the King George VI weekend...

Ascot Racecourse cc Evie Wray

Labelled as one of the most prestigious race meetings outside of Royal Ascot and commencing this Friday, July 22nd with a full days racing & 7 race card to be enjoyed on Day 1 alone, there is no excuse not to be there... except if you have to work, then maybe you can be excused.. but then there is Saturday, so nope, no excuses!

There will also be a lovely sounding, quintessentially English, Garden Party setting serving as a backdrop to the racing, if you've never been to Ascot before.. you are in for a treat, it's honestly my favourite racecourse as there is so much space to move around, plenty of areas to eat and beautiful surroundings, the paddock is manicured to perfection, and if you have been before i'm sure you'll agree what a great day out Ascot races can be.. looks like the weather will be glorious too!

Make sure you don't miss the opportunity to see the 'Charm Spirit' Sculpture by student Tess Dumon...

Racings Legend 'Charm Spirit' Sculpture cc Ascot website

So let's take a look at Friday's races:

Racing starts at 1:50pm with the John Guest British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stake (class 4) for 2 year old fillies, over 7 furlongs and prize money of £10,000.

Thoughts... 20 entries, 7 confirmed... including Horseplay for Andrew Balding with David Probert riding who had a great day at Sandown today so could repeat their success tomorrow, Soldier's Girl trained by Richard Hannon and 1 remains from the Charlie Appleby yard in the form of Kazimiera.  

One to watch... Sitaarah out of 'Sea the Stars' trained by Simon Crisford

2:20pm, The Anders Foundation EBF Stallions Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes (class 2) for 2 yr olds over 6 furlongs and prize money of £20000

Thoughts... 20 entries, 6 confirmed including Galactic Prince for Andrew Balding and William Haggas with Rivet and jockey Ryan Moore on board, is that a hint :) 

One to watch... a tough one to pick, i'll be keeping my eyes on the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum owned Star of the East for Mark Johnston with James Doyle in the saddle.

2:55pm, The John Guest Brown Jack Stakes (class 2 handicap) for 2 yr olds, over about 2 miles and prize money of £30000

Thoughts... 29 entries, 12 confirmed including Boite, 6yr old for Warren Greatrex, had a winner last time out but ground could be a problem and Galizzi for Charlie Appleby.

One to watch... Sea of Heaven trained by Sir Mark Prescott with Luke Morris, great track record, should improve of the 2nd in last run...

3:30pm, The Carraig Insurance EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Valiant Stakes (class 1) for 3+ yr olds, over 1 mile and prize money of £55000

Thoughts... 16 entries, 9 confirmed including 4 yr old Light and Shade for James Tate who has won last 2 outings, Delve for Sir Michael Stoute having quoted recently ''Delve has enjoyed a massive confidence boost with her clear cut Doncaster triumph''(sky sports) and Black Cherry for Richard Hannon with Pat Dobbs to ride.

One to watch...  tough one to call, i'd like to see 3 yr old Red Box for Sir Mark Prescott up front...

4:05pm, The John Guest Handicap Stakes (class 2) for 3+ yr olds over 1 mile 4 furlongs and prize money of £30000

Thoughts... 29 entries, 7 confirmed including Masterpaver trained by Richard Fahey, Yorkidding & Zand for Mark Johnston and 6 yr old Plutocracy for Gary Moore.

One to watch...  Bermondsy out of Galileo for Luca Cumani and Ryan Moore.

4:35pm, The SIS Live Handicap Stakes (class 2) for 3+ yr olds, over 5 furlongs and prize money of £45000

Thoughts... 23 entries, 17 confirmed so far including Caspian Prince for Dean Ivory who has a recent win at Epsom, Robot Boy for David Barron and Shamson for Jamie Osbourne. 

One to watch... Royal Birth for Stuart Williams, latest win came at Ascot, cold be a strong contender..Final Venture for Alan Swinbank also on my radar...

5:05pm, The Investec October Club Charity Fillies Handicap Stakes (class 4) for 3+ yr olds over 5 furlongs and prize money of £10000

Thoughts... 19 entries, 13 confirmed including Lady Kyllar for George Margarson, Midnight Malibu, because who doesn't like one of those! for Tim Easterby has been running well this year so should be up front and Coto for MJ Tynan...

One to watch... Olympic Runner for William Haggas has had recent wins at Yarmouth and Lingfield.. 

Moving on to Saturday with the first race starting at: 

2:10pm, The Wooldridge Group Pat Eddery Stakes (class 1) for 2 yr olds over 7 furlongs and prize money of £30000

Thoughts... 26 entries, 9 confirmed including Bahamas for Marco Botti, Apex King for Ed Dunlop & Andrea Atzeni, King Godolphin's Dubai Hero and Monticello for Mark Johnston with 2 races - 2 wins, although small fields, so will be interesting to watch...

One to watch..    Frankuus, of course! one of the Frankel offspring for Mark Johnston

2:45pm, The Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes (class 1) for 2 yr old fillies over 6 furlongs, prize money of £50000

Thoughts... 20 entries, 13 confirmed including How for Aiden O'Brien,  Tallulah Rose for George Baker, Poet's Princess for Hughie Morrison and Kachess for Tom Dascombe.

One to watch... Roger Charltons Fair Eva, maybe it's her name, or the fact she is the daughter of 'Frankel', or that she won impressively at Haydock for her debut in June, she ticks all the right boxes so far...

3:20pm, The Woodford reserve Handicap Stakes (class 2) for 3 yr olds over 1 mile, prize money of £450000 

Thoughts... 47 entries confirmed, 15 confirmed including Mohab for Kevin Ryan, Von Blucher trained by John Gosden and El Hayem for Sir Michael Stoute with Frankie Dettori.

One to watch... Sir Roderic for Rod Millman and Freddy Tylicki...just exceptional results from this years racing, a 3rd the worst result this year, very promising indeed, could it be yet another win... (now a non runner) so in that case, Oh this is Us for Richard Hannon.

3.55pm, The Gigaset International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (class 2) for 3+yr olds over 7 furlongs, prize money of £150000

Thoughts... 26 entries including Heaven's Guest for Richard Fahey, Jack Dexter for Jim Goldie, Bossy Guest for Mick Channon, Cape Icon for Clive Cox, Scottish Glen for Patrick Chamings and Fanciful Angel for Marco Botti and Frankie Dettori..

One to watch...  Librisa Breeze for Dean Ivory, have to pick grey somewhere and this 4 yr old shouldn't disappoint!

4:30pm, The King george VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, sponsored by QIPCO (class 1) for 3+ yr olds over 1 mile 4 furlongs and prizemoney of £1150000!

7 entries remain, as follows:
(Today Postponed was ruled out of the running due to a respiratory infection)
(Hawkbill now ruled out, likely headed to Juddmonte International at York instead)

1. Dartmouth / Sir Michael Stoute
2. Erupt / F-H Grafford
3. Highland Reel /  Aiden O'Brien
4. Second Step / Luca Cumani
5. Sir Isaac Newton / Aiden O'Brien
6. Western Hymn / John Gosden
7. Wings of Desire / John Gosden.. (4th in the Epsom Derby this year)

Thoughts...  Highland Reel being the preferred Aiden O'Brien runner, last years winner,  looks set to be joint favourite, came up a head short of Dartmouth in the Hardwicke Stakes last month... this story looks set to be continued... I'd like to see Sir Isaac Newton, one of the other Aiden O'Brien runners also up near the front.

One to watch...  Due to Postponed now a non runner, favour goes to Dartmouth, The Queens colt, added at a cost of £75,000 after winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and with trainer Sir Michael Stoute seeking a record 6th victory, has a very strong and promising start already...

5:00pm, The Longines Handicap Stakes (Lady Riders) (class 3) for 3+yr olds over 7 furlongs, prize money of £13000

Thoughts... 31 entries including the oldest at 10 yrs, Hawkeyethenoo for Jim Goldie against the youngest, 3 yr old Furiant for Mark Johnston.

One to watch... Robero the 4 yr old for Brian Ellison has a triple could it be a 4th?

5:35pm, The Canisbay Bloodstock Handicap Stakes (class 4) for 3 yr olds over 1mile 4 furlongs

Thoughts... 23 entries, 19 remain incuding  Real Dominion for Andrew Balding, Imari Kid for Gary Moore and Second Serve for Mark Johnston.

One to watch...  Opposition for Frankie Dettori and Ed Dunlop, has the best track record, small field should do well..

Will be updated through the week...

• Current going is good to firm, good in places...
• Stalls Advantage: Straight course - Centre, Round course - Inside

And for those that can't make it in person, Saturdays races will be covered by Channel 4 Racing Live from 2:30pm, starting with the Morning Line at 9am...

For tickets and info head over to Ascot Website

To keep up to date please follow me on social media at Evie Wray Twitter

Until next time!

Evie xoxo