King George & Sky Bet York Stakes Preview.

The King George is upon us this Saturday at Ascot and its a cracking yet intriguing renewal to say the least. It’s been recently announced that Enable will go for this following her Oaks double and she is now the clear market leader here trading at a general 11/8. She was mightily impressive when winning the Irish Oaks a couple of weeks ago and was just as impressive when brushing Rhododendron aside in the English version previous to that.

There’s been a case made against her that the quality of opposition in the Irish Oaks wasn’t all that and Rhododendron just didn’t stay the trip in the English and she’s now facing a multiple worldwide Group 1 winner in Highland Reel who’s just about second favourite here trading at a general 9/2. They are odds that will appeal to the masses with him being more proven at this level than arguably any other horse on the planet. However if the rain comes he might not even turn up as its argued he is most effective on a quick surface.

Out of the others one that will certainly appreciate some cut in the ground is Jack Hobbs. He was very disappointing in the Prince Of Wales when in eighth many lengths behind Highland Reel, however the ground was rattling fast at Royal Ascot and that doesn’t look to be the case here. I think Jack Hobbs might just bounce back to a bit of form here and could well give his stablemate Enable something to think about. He’s trading at a general 5/1 and I think he’s the each way bet of the race. This year’s Eclipse winner Ulysses is also in the line up, he’s trading at around 9/1 and can’t be wrote off if staying the trip. He travelled superbly through the race in the Eclipse at Sandown and could be a huge price here.

Highland Reel’s brother and stablemate Idaho is always down to go, he has the potential to still be a top horse for top connections putting his St Leger mishap behind him with a win in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. Enable is certainly the one to beat here though on her current form and she’s going to a very sizeable weight advantage of the boys here. She looks right out of the top drawer and winning this will certify that.

Heading over to York now and for some Group 2 action in the Sky Bet York Stakes this Saturday and i’ll personally making the trip up there again for this one. It’s not the most exciting of renewals but it’s most certainly a competitive one and this race has been a really tough puzzle to get a grasp on and trying to get through the different form lines has been challenging.

It’s headed by Autocratic for Sir Michael Stoute, ridden by Ted Durcan and trading at a general 11/4. He comes here off the back of a Group 3 victory at Sandown over this distance a couple of months ago when beating Algometer by over a length. He looks to of been targeted for this by the master trainer so a big run certainly looks on the cards.

The one that i’d be worth taking a chance on at slightly bigger price is the Irish raider Success Days for Ken Condon and Shane Foley. He’s in form this season and been performing admirably with two placed efforts in Group 3 company and fourth out of eight behind Decorated Knight in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. It’s the most solid form on offer here in my opinion and if he’s gifted an easy lead they might just find it hard to get to him in the straight. He’s trading at a general 4/1 which is a great each way price.

Hathal might outrun his odds of 13/2 for William Haggas and Pat Cosgrave and a return to his best form might see Mondialiste make a bold bid to get into the frame. Success Day is the bet of the race for me on form and price, but it’s real open renewal and just about the whole field has a chance of featuring at the business end.