2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot: the runners, the odds, the verdict
A top-class nine-runner field will contest the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.40 Ascot) on Saturday shown live on ITV and Sky Sports Racing. Here we provide the lowdown on every contender and provide a tip . . .
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes: the full list of horses
1 Auguste Rodin
Has flopped badly on three occasions in his career, including in this race 12 months ago; otherwise a high-class performer who has won several major middle-distance prizes, all on good/firmer, including the 2023 Derby and most recently the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot; leading player provided he avoids one of his bad days.
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Forecast odds: 5-4f
2 Dubai Honour
Globetrotting middle-distance performer who is a Group 1 winner in Australia and France, most recently in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (good to soft) last month; likely set for a supporting role in this field, being 0-5 (form figures 24646) at the top level on British soil.
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Forecast odds: 20-1
3 Goliath
Acts on any ground; steadily progressive French gelding who is a Group 3 winner on home soil; ran well in the Hardwicke (Group 2) over course and distance most recently, although proved no match for the winner; faces a considerably stiffer assignment upped further in grade.
Trainer: Francis Graffard
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Forecast odds: 25-1
Get £50 In Free Bets When You Place £10
- Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)
4 Hans Andersen
Yet to win above Group 3 level; seemingly used as a pacemaker for higher-profile stablemates in Group 1 races of late and again looks poised to adopt that role; bottom of this pack on ratings and likely to be swallowed up in the latter stages.
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Sean Levey
Forecast odds: 100-1
5 Luxembourg
Group 1 winner in each of his four seasons of racing, most recently in the Coronation Cup at Epsom (good to soft) where he received an astute front-running ride to record a first success over 1m4f; tactically versatile but couldn't quite sustain his effort in this contest last year (finished an eight-length fourth); yard's number one is Auguste Rodin.
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Forecast odds: 9-1
6 Middle Earth
Well held in soft-ground St Leger; otherwise a largely progressive sort at up to 1m6f; has dropped back to 1m4f this season, getting up on the line at Newbury (Group 3) then respectable third at Royal Ascot (Group 2) where a stronger pace would have suited; remains of interest, with this race likely to pan out favourably.
Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Forecast odds: 9-1
7 Rebel's Romance
Highly productive globetrotter who landed Group 1 prizes over 1m4f at Meydan and Sha Tin the last twice, taking record at the top level to 5-7 and overall strike-rate to 13-19; his impressive stats are augmented by an unbeaten record (5-5) in British races, none above Group 3 but he brings a high rating to this assignment; respected.
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Forecast odds: 7-2
8 Bluestocking
Consistent in defeat last term; has regained the winning thread and looked better than ever this season, routing her opponents in Group 2 at York (good) then following up in Group 1 at the Curragh (yielding to soft), both over 1m2f; should be as effective back at 1m4f; cheekpieces (worn twice, including for reappearance win) are now reapplied; smart filly who could well prove capable of further improvement in her current form; big player.
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Forecast odds: 5-1
9 Sunway
Sole three-year-old in the field; Group 1 winner on French soil at two; strong-finishing second in the Irish Derby (good) upped to 1m4f most recently, taking his form to a new level; may well have more to offer at this trip and he's bred for this scenario, being a brother to Ascot Group 1 (Champion Stakes) scorer Sealiway; interesting.
Trainer: David Menuisier
Jockey: James Doyle
Forecast odds: 12-1
Verdict
By Steve Boow, Spotlight tipster
Auguste Rodin and Rebel's Romance are the titans in this field but they are not entirely bombproof, as the former is known for throwing in the odd stinker and the latter is having his first attempt in a British Group 1. They command major respect in terms of ability but there are plausible alternatives from a punting perspective. BLUESTOCKING, who is blossoming this season, gets the vote ahead of interesting three-year-old Sunway (second choice) and likely strong finisher Middle Earth.
Get £50 in free bets with Betfair
Betfair are offering new customers £50 in free bet multiples when you place a £10 Sportsbook bet.
You can follow these simple steps outlined below to grab £50 in free bets to place on the big races this weekend. It's fast, secure and straightforward.
- Head over to Betfair through this link and click the 'Get Started' button
- Sign up for an account using code ZSKAOF and create your username and password
- Place a minimum £10 bet on the Betfair Sportsbook at odds of minimum EVS (2.0)
- Get £50 in free bet builders, accumulators or multiples to use on any sport
Betfair betting sign-up offer: the key terms and conditions
It's worth taking a few minutes to read through the terms and conditions associated with the new player promotion before signing up. Doing so will help you get a better grasp of the details of the 2024 Betfair betting offer and what's expected of you as a new player.
- 18+
- New UK & ROI customers
- Rewards valid for 30 days
- Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify
- T&Cs apply
- Please gamble responsibly
Read these next:
Confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot
The rollercoaster career of Auguste Rodin: can he be trusted in the King George at such short odds?
Who will win the 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot based on previous trends?
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.
Published on inFree tips
Last updated
Copy- Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's six meetings
- 'He could be anything and he's 25-1' - David Jennings answers the big questions ahead of a super Saturday of jumps action
- 'He won't even need to be at his best to win this' - Harry Wilson returns with his fancies for every race on ITV on Saturday
- Betfair Chase betting offer: get £50 in free bets with Coral on Saturday
- US racing tips: Shane Ketteridge provides two selections at Churchill Downs on Saturday
- Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's six meetings
- 'He could be anything and he's 25-1' - David Jennings answers the big questions ahead of a super Saturday of jumps action
- 'He won't even need to be at his best to win this' - Harry Wilson returns with his fancies for every race on ITV on Saturday
- Betfair Chase betting offer: get £50 in free bets with Coral on Saturday
- US racing tips: Shane Ketteridge provides two selections at Churchill Downs on Saturday