King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Katie Midwinter's runner guide and 1-2-3 prediction for the Ascot Group 1

King George VI Stakes will be an unmissable race

Saturday's feature race at 15:35 (Ascot) is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a historic and prestigious race that has been won by multiple superstars who all feature on the illustrious roll of honour for the Group One mile-and-a-half contest.

Mill Reef, Nijinsky and Dancing Brave are just a few champions from the previous century, whilst the likes of Galileo, Nathaniel and three-time winner Enable have all claimed the prize since the millennium.

This year's renewal features the two previous winners of the race in Goliath and Calandagan respectively, both representing the Francis-Henri Graffard stable, whilst two Japanese contenders are set to line up in the form of Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg as well as three other Classic winners.

A mouthwatering contest is in store and one that will likely live long in the memory should it live up to its high expectations.

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Calandagan

13/82.63 favourite to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Reigning champion Calandagan heads the market as he bids to retain his crown in this prestigious Group One.

The French-trained contender returned to winning ways at the top level with success over Cualificar in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud earlier this month, bouncing back to form following a disappointing effort in the Coronation Cup. He beat the reopposing Masquerade Ball in the Japan Cup in November last year, before going on to land a fifth successive Group One or equivalent in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse.

The popular five-year-old beat Kalpana by a length to claim this title 12 months ago before doubling up at the track with victory over Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes.

The one to beat this year, Calandagan has proven course-and-distance form in this race and is still performing to his best, therefore should put in another bold bid in a fascinating renewal.

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Masquerade Ball

7/24.50 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Four-time winner Masquerade Ball makes his first British and European appearance in this Group One contest for trainer Takahisa Tezuka, bringing a further international intrigue into a fascinating renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The likeable colt has already proven he possesses a great amount of ability with a Grade One success in the autumn Tenno Sho last year, before finishing a close second to Calandagan in the Japan Cup.

There was very little between the reopposing pair in Tokyo, and, with extra experience in his favour, Masquerade Ball could be capable of turning the tables. This is his first trip to England, however, against the defending champion and others with course form and progressive profiles, therefore he faces an unknown test.

His latest run at Sha Tin was eyecatching as he finished well to be beaten only a length by the fantastic Romantic Warrior, finishing ahead of Sosie and Royal Champion. A repeat performance or improved effort should put him in with a leading chance in this race and he's closely matched with last year's winner on previous form.

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Benvenuto Cellini

4/15.00 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Frankel colt Benvenuto Cellini gained Derby redemption in the Irish version at the Curragh when last seen having been deemed a non-runner at Epsom following a sticky stalls incident. He was unable to recover in the race won by stablemate Christmas Day on the Downs, failing to give his true running in ground perhaps softer than ideal, but proved his Classic credentials with a gutsy and impressive performance when last seen.

Last term, the Aidan O'Brien-trained performer showed promise as a juvenile, winning twice, including at Group Two level, before finishing third in a heavy ground Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. He remains unexposed making only his seventh start, his first in open company, but will need to show further progression to match up to the level shown by these proven, experienced rivals.

Benvenuto Cellini remains an exciting prospect for the Ballydoyle team, but whether or not he's capable of posing a threat in such a deep field remains to be seen.

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Minnie Hauk

5/16.00 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Likeable filly Minnie Hauk enjoyed a fantastic debut campaign last season in which she landed two Classic successes, in the Oaks at Epsom as well as the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, as well as winning the Yorkshire Oaks and Cheshire Oaks, plus finishing a head second to Daryz in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. She was no match for Ethical Diamond at the Breeders' Cup, but returned to winning ways this season with a successful reappearance effort in the Mooresbridge Stakes.

The daughter of Frankel has been beaten twice at the top level in recent starts, however, managing only fifth to Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup before putting in an improved effort when chasing home Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

On that form, she has plenty to find with some of the leading contenders in this contest but has a brilliant record and is impossible to rule out. She must find more in reserves if she is to land a serious blow on the likes of Calandagan, but she has great form in the book at the highest level and could be capable of a big run.

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Goliath

9/110.00 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Goliath won this race two years ago, beating subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking to victory at odds of 25/126.00 in a field that also included Rebel's Romance, Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg.

Since then, he has put in a number of creditable efforts and recorded another top level success over Dubai Honour at Baden-Baden. He finished third in the Hardwicke Stakes when last seen in a luckless run when rider Chrisophe Soumillon lost his irons, putting in a respectable performance in defeat on that occasion.

A further step is required in deeper waters, but the six-year-old gelding has proven he possesses the ability to win this race and has been performing consistently well so far this year. He faces stiff opposition but cannot be ignored with proven form, representing a top in-form Francis-Henri Graffard stable, also represented by Calandagan, under a top rider. 

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Kalpana

9/110.00 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Course-and-distance winner Kalpana landed the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes here last season, retaining her crown in that contest, having previously chased home Calandagan in this race 12 months ago when beaten a length by the talented winner.

She'll need to show improvement if she is to reverse that form, and would likely have benefitted from some rainfall prior to the off, but she has form in the race and was only narrowly denied in Group Two company here when last seen.

The dual Group One winner has enjoyed both of her top level successes at this venue, albeit against her own sex, therefore have plenty of valuable course form with form figures of 31212 at Ascot.

A likeable performer and a force to be reckoned with on her day, Kalpana may find a rival or two too good in this renewal, but she warrants consideration for an in-form Andrew Balding yard.

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Wurttemberg

66/167.00 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Hiroshi Miyamoto-trained Wurttemberg is another interesting Japanese contender in the field who finished second at the highest level last time out. He was beaten a nose by Croix Du Nord, who had previously beaten Masquerade Ball in the Japanese Derby and was fourth in the Japan Cup, when putting in a huge effort to place at Kyoto in the spring Tenno Sho over two miles.

That was an improved effort on all of his previous performances and if he can take a step forward and continue his progression, he could have a part to play. He needs to prove his latest run wasn't a one-off, but if he can replicate that performance over a shorter distance, he's an interesting runner who could put in a competitive effort.

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Lambourn

100/1101.00 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Last year's dual Derby winner Lambourn hasn't been at his best in his previous three runs following a win over Bay City Roller in the Group Two Huxley Stakes on reappearance this term. He has plenty of improvement to find if he is to make an impression in this deep race, but is a Classic with proven Group One form and stays well.

Whilst conditions may not be ideal for the strong stayer, Lambourn is capable of putting in a creditable effort at his very best. Significant improvement is needed, however, and this will likely require a career best performance from the four-year-old.

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Action

150/1151.00 to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Coolmore-bred colt Action shaped with promise as a juvenile last term, winning his maiden at Galway before finishing a length-and-a-half third to Bow Echo in a Newmarket Group Two then placing second to stablemate Hawk Mountain in the Futurity Trophy.

He was beaten on reappearance this term when sent off at odds of 4/61.67 in a Group Three won by Raaheeb, but didn't do himself any favours that day in a run worth forgiving and from which he was entitled to improve.

In his subsequent run, the Frankel colt fared better when second to Item in the Dante Stakes, but he's been well beaten in both the Epsom and Irish Derbies since, and a huge amount of improvement is needed.

A likely pace angle in the race, Action is unlikely to be in front at the line but he does have ability and could be capable of landing a prize at some point this season.

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Katie Midwinter's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes Prediction

1. Masquerade Ball

2. Calandagan

3. Kalpana

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