ITV Racing Tips for King George IV Stakes Day at Ascot and York

1:50 Ascot

The opener on ITV is the Princess Margaret Stakes, a Group 3 for the 2 year-old fillies over 6f.

I expect SIMMERING (6/4) NAP to take a lot of beating here. After a highly eye-catching debut effort, she backed that up when finishing second in the Albany Stakes at the Royal Meeting. The winner there looked the best 2 year-old we’ve seen this season so that’s comfortably the best piece of form on offer. Ryan Moore now takes over and Simmering is entitled to continue on her upward curve. Her rivals would have to take a mighty step forward to beat her if she runs here race.

 

2:05 York

The first of three live races at York comes up at 2:05. It is the “Jump Jockeys Nunthorpe” over 5f.

It’s SOUL SEEKER (12/1) EW for me here. A two-time winner of this race including last season, I’m sure this has been a main aim again this year. He’s only 2lb higher than last year and has been dropping down the handicap at a rate of knots this season. You wouldn’t be surprised if he returns to form back here now. He’s got Nolan back on like last year and he’s drawn in stall 6 which looks the ideal side on what we’ve seen here at York recently. 

 

2:25 Ascot

The 2:25 from Ascot is the Valiant Stakes, a Group 3 race for fillies and mares over the mile on the round track.

It’s FRIENDLY SOUL (5/1) NB I’ve landed on in this. A winner of her only start last year on the AW, she was pitched into the Pretty Polly for her seasonal debut this season suggesting her homework had been strong. She duly obliged and looked a filly of serious potential when winning the race pulling way clear with the second. She then went to the Musidora at York and just didn’t run her race at all. She was hanging right all the way down the home straight so returning to a right-handed track here ought to suit. I’m happy to forgive her run last time out as she has potential to be a lot better than this lot of putting her best foot forward.

 

2:40 York

The 2:40 from York is next up and it’s a wide-open 6f handicap.

It’s ROCK OPERA (18/1) EW for me here. I was impressed with his victory at Doncaster in June where he displayed a decent turn of foot to win well. I’m happy to draw a line through his effort here last time out as things just didn’t go to plan. He sneaks in this off a low weight and this 4 year-old remains unexposed. I’m happy to take a swing at the prices.

 

3:00 Ascot

It’s back to Ascot for the 3:00 contest, a competitive renewal of the International Stakes over 7f.

I’d give HICKORY (16/1) EW a chance here at the prices. He is pretty inconsistent but he’s more than capable of landing a decent potential when getting his act together. He ran a cracker when finishing a close second in this race last year and he’s since finished 4th in a Victoria Cup here so Ascot obviously brings out the best in him. Connections opt to put the visor back on and hopefully that results in a bold display.

 

3:15 York

The 3:15 from York is the City Of York Stakes, a Group 2 over the extended 1m2f trip.

It’s ALFLAILA for me here. An impressive winner of this race last year, this track suits him well. He’ll enjoy this small field too and could easily stack them up from the front. He ran a really good race when 4th in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes last time out suggesting he’s in top form. His main market rival Passenger could be high class but he’s had a few niggles this season and that has to be a concern against a classy sort like ALFLAILA.

 

3:40 Ascot

The final race on ITV is the feature, the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 1m4f.

I just don’t think we’ve seen the best of MIDDLE EARTH (12/1) EW yet and I’m happy to take a swing on him here. He was a quality 3 year-old last season which included a win in the competitive Melrose handicap. He returned to action this season in May at Newbury and he was impressive there in a Group 3 coming from way off the pace to get up close to home. Things didn’t go to plan at Royal Ascot last time out but they went slow there and he needs a strong pace to aim at. I’m confident he will get that today and it should bring out a career best performance as a result. I do think he has the ability to be a Group 1 performer and it has to be encouraging that the Gosden’s are pitching him into this. Oisin Murphy takes the rides and he’s riding at the top of his game at present and is oozing confidence. 

 

How to get the High Bet Welcome Bonus

1 Click this link straight to the High Bet sign-up offer

2 Click ‘Claim’ and fill in the registration form

3 Place a £10 bet

4 Win or lose you get £25 in Free Bets

Relevant news