Ascot Betting: King George no cakewalk for Duke of Marmalade

Royal Ascot / Maxliu / 26 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

The favourite had to put up an impressive fightback to win the King George at Ascot.

Duke of Marmalade won the King George XI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes today but only after Papal Bull gave the much fancied favourite the fright of his life in the final furlong.

Punters matched £285 on Duke of Marmalade at [38.0] in running on Betfair. Before the race, Johnny Murtagh's mount had been matched at a low of [1.10].

The Duke looked typically cool coming into the race while Papal Bull appeared agitated. Aidan O'Brien's horse pulled away just after the two furlong pole but, in one of the great finishes in King George history, the favourite went a neck down in the final 200 metres as Papal Bull edged ahead and was matched at [1.10].

A mammoth tussle ensued as Duke of Marmalade showed great character and running power to come back and justfiy his favouritism. He is now un-beaten in four top level races.

Last year's runner-up, Youmzain, had to be content with third place, finishing nine lengths behind the front two.