Ante-Post

    The King George on Saturday looks a fascinating renewal with a top class Derby winner going up against a host of decent older horses. I think there is one difference between this race though and the Eclipse earlier in the month - on that occasion Golden Horn had only one serious rival and that horse, The Grey Gatsby, was not racing over his optimum conditions (I think he needs a stamina test over 10f, the Juddmonte looks his ideal race, or even 12f now). The field lining up on Saturday however features the likes of Postponed, Flintshire, Eagle Top, Telescope - none of them what you would call formidable but all decent animals who will be suited by the distance/going at Ascot. Given Golden Horn's very short odds (1/2) I'm happy to kind of take him on (it's a renewal with a good each way shape to it) and I've opened up by taking 14s about Telescope. He was very poor in the Hardwicke last time out over course and distance but it was a run too bad to be true and I'm prepared to take a chance at his over inflated odds. He was second in the King George last year and it took a top class filly to beat him then.

    I always peruse the ante-post lists on a Monday and the sponsors have opened a market on the Skybet Group 2 York Stakes. Prince Gibraltar stands out like a sore thumb at 9/2 and although I can't find any information as to whether or not it's a guaranteed target it makes sense to run him as he has showed a liking for decent ground in the past and I can't think of any targets below Group 1 level for him in France. The opposition looks thin on the ground and it's a race that could cut up. I would normally dismiss the favourite out of hand here as he's looks a pure miler but Custom Cut's trainer is having a monster season and anything he runs at York in particular has to be feared. If Rouget lets Prince Gibraltar run he'll be incredibly difficult to beat, he just has a better form profile for the conditions of the race than anything else in the field.

Skybet York Stakes:

Prince Gibraltar £20w @ 9/2

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes:

Telescope £15ew @ 14/1

Ebor:
Oasis Fantasy £15ew @ 25/1

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Jack Hobbs £15w @ 10/1

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Champion Hurdle:
Peace and Co £10w @ 12/1

World Hurdle:
Whisper £10w @ 156/10