With the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes just days away, it is time to look at the runners and riders, with six horses entered to run at the five-day declaration stage.
Westover
Age: 3-y-o
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Form: 22-131
Best Odds: 11/8f
Group 3 winner on his first start as a three-year-old, when winning by a neck at Sandown and then as a 25/1 shot, finished third in the Epsom Derby. Was denied a clear run at a crucial stage, and jockey Rob Hornby felt he would have won without any in-running shenanigans. Headed to The Curragh for the Irish Derby last time out and put in a destructive performance, bolting up by seven lengths. Task for this has been made significantly easier with the absence of Desert Crown and on paper looks the one to beat for the Ralph Beckett team who have been enjoying a successful summer.
Westover - 11/8
Irish Derby winner looking to beat older rivals here
At 11/8 a £10 bet would return £23.75
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
July 23, 2022
3:35 pm BST
Emily Upjohn
3-y-o
John & Thady Gosden
1-112
5/2
A massive filly, Lost her unbeaten record in the Oaks, when making an absolute mess of the start and handing her rivals a significant advantage, eventually being beaten by a short-head by Tuesday. Was one of the first ‘incidents’ that led to the short-lived ‘sabbatical’ between John Gosden and Frankie Dettori. Was due to run in the Irish Oaks on Saturday, but that plan had to be scrapped due to travel chaos, so has to be re-routed here. Probably wouldn’t want the ground absolutely rattling; Frankie Dettori commented after the Musidora win how much she ‘enjoyed the bit of juice in the ground’. Should have a lot more to offer and is a serious contender.
Emily Upjohn - 5/2
Oaks runner up goes against the boys
At 5/2 a £10 bet would return £35
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
July 23, 2022
3:35 pm BST
Mishriff
5-y-o
John & Thady Gosden
214-02
5/1
Globetrotting star who had looked as though his powers were potentially on the wane before running a cracker to be beaten a neck in the eclipse by Vadeni - despite meeting trouble in running. High class performer who may still be capable of dining at the top table once more, but is vulnerable to younger legs, and it is probably still inconclusive as to whether 1m4f is ideal for him.
Torquator Tasso
5-y-o
Marcel Weiss
211-61
12/1
Caused the upset of all upsets when a shock winner of last year’s Arc at odds of 72/1 - the outsider of the entire field. Purely on that performance alone, double figure odds could look more than generous. However, the German raider has shown a distinct liking for ground with plenty of give in it, and with the heatwave the UK is experiencing, ground with the word ‘Soft’ in it looks more or less impossible. Got back to winning ways when cruising home on the bridle in a Group 2 to Hamburg last time out, enjoying the rain-softened ground in the process. May end up being a wasted journey purely down to underfoot conditions.
Torquator Tasso - 12/1
German winner of the Arc last season, but ground could be a problem
At 12/1 a £10 bet would return £130
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
July 23, 2022
3:35 pm BST
Broome
6-y-o
Aidan O’Brien
020-51
Had been running with credit in defeat in many of Europe’s top races over the last year or so, and got the victory his endeavour deserved when landing the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, proving he could produce his best form away from his favoured softer surface. Up against it on these terms but should run with credit once again.
Broome - 16/1
Royal Ascot winner last time, but is this a step too far
At 16/1 a £10 bet would return £170
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
July 23, 2022
3:35 pm BST
Pyledriver
5-y-o
William Muir & Chris Grassick
12-042
Often punches above his weight, and won’t go down without a good scrap, and a winner of his only previous start over C&D in a Group 2. However, was firmly put in his place when runner-up at his beloved Epsom last time out, and on balance looks up against here for win-only purposes.
Pyledriver - 16/1
Gutsy, but could find himself in too deep here
At 16/1 a £10 bet would return £170
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
July 23, 2022
3:35 pm BST
Ed Quigley’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Verdict
1 Westover
2 Mishriff
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