Selection can land what promises to be one of the best renewals of the midsummer Ascot showpiece for many yearsThat fact that multiple Group One winners Luxembourg and Westover are available at double-figure odds for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday underlines the exceptional strength in depth in this year’s field, and even in the late absence of Desert Crown, last year’s Derby winner, this still promises to be one of the best renewals of the midsummer showpiece for manyyears.Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel, separated by just half a length when first and second respectively in last month’s Derby at Epsom, head a strong three-year-old challenge, while Emily Upjohn, Hukum and last year’s...
The part-owner of Im Too Generous has defended Nathan Moscrop after the jockey was banned for 10 daysA dramatic novice chase at Perth on Tuesday left jockey Nathan Moscrop with a winner and a 10-day riding ban. The stewards decided that he had failed to pull up his mount Im Too Generous – the only one of six starters still standing – when the gelding apparently went lame after jumping the final fence.Moscrop made all the running on the 9-2 chance and was in a clear lead after three opponents failed to jump the fourth-last fence. Court Dreaming, who was in a distant second place, unseated his jockey at the next while the only other runner was pulled up. Im...
He came up short in the King George for a second time but let’s not forget he was carrying marginally more weight than EnableFor all the tension, there was never a moment in Saturday’s King George when I really believed Crystal Ocean was going to win it. I think that’s how it was for most observers and it has fed into our collective response to the race; he has been acknowledged for his part in making a thrilling contest but the pile of bouquets thrown in his direction does not compare with the floral mountain being heaped up in front of Enable.This is, of course, terribly unjust because, as Talking Horses regulars know only too well, he was carrying 3lb...
Enable arguably faced a stiffer task in the Eclipse but she coped brilliantly and should be in even better shapeThis year’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot is deep on quality but the outcome may still be predictable. Enable (3.40) arguably faced a stiffer task last time in the Eclipse at Sandown, when short of peak fitness and tackling an unfamiliar distance, but she coped brilliantly and ought to be in even better shape now.Crystal Ocean is very likeable but he was beaten at level weights by Poet’s Word in this race last year. Can he now give Enable 3lb and be the first to beat her since April 2017? It seems doubtful. Related: Talking Horses: Heavy...
The high-class filly will start a hot favourite but carry 3lb less than the colts in Saturday’s race at AscotEnable is one of those horses who’s so good, you try to tell your non-racing friends about her. But if your friends can read a racecard, the conversation may take a tricky turn.“Hang on. She’s carrying less weight than most of the other runners.”“Uh, yeah.”“But you said she was good. Is she not as good as these other ones?” Related: Andrea Atzeni hoping to lower Enable’s colours in King George Bath 2.00 Uncertain Smile 2.30 Fanzone 3.00 Devils Roc 3.30 Street Jester 4.00 Storm Melody 4.30 Canal Rocks 5.00 Bader Catterick 2.10 Frost At Midnight 2.40 Gold Venture 3.10 Ambyfaeirvine (nap) 3.40 Ollivander 4.10 Timetodock 4.40...