Super six: each King George contender assessed on strengths and weaknesses

This Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.35 Ascot), one of racing's summer highlights, has attracted a select but strong field, with Irish Derby winner Westover a warm favourite to land the Group 1. Here we assess his claims, along with the five other contenders . . .

Westover

Form 22-131

Strengths Westover was a comfortable winner of the Irish Derby and stays the 1m4f trip well. He had Oaks winner Tuesday just over ten lengths back in fourth that day so will take some stopping.

Weaknesses It may be wrong to suggest that the booking of Irish champion jockey Colin Keane is a weakness, but other jockeys might have more nous when it comes to riding at Ascot. Keane has a 0-46 record at the Berkshire venue.

Odds 11-8

What they say Ralph Beckett, trainer

"I'm very happy with him and we're looking forward to it. It's a great shame the Derby winner isn't showing up – I think that's really unfortunate for the race. It's the midsummer highlight, I grew up on Shergar and Ela-Mana-Mou, it's important for the race the best horses show up.

"I'm looking forward to it and I don't see the ground being an issue as Ascot will be putting plenty of water on."t

Emily Upjohn

Form 1-112

Strengths Emily Upjohn was the most talked about horse leading up to the Oaks, but after a stumbling start she had to make up an awful lot of ground. To finish just a short-head behind Tuesday at Epsom is testament to the ability she possesses and going right-handed – her Sandown victory was by over nine lengths – may show her in an even better light. The three-year-old filly receives 3lb from Westover and a stone from the older horses.

Weaknesses This race was not her initial target as she would have run in the Irish Oaks last Saturday had her plane not been grounded. The Oaks was run in a slower time than the Derby and given that Westover has already demolished Tuesday since, 3lb may not be enough weight to receive as she attempts to land her first Group 1.

Odds 5-2

What they say John Gosden, joint-trainer

"Emily Upjohn will not be going to Ireland to run in the Juddmonte Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday as the plane due to take her there sustained a bird strike earlier in the day. Due to various logistical issues she was unable to fly from Stansted.

"After discussion with her owners it was decided to reroute her to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot."

Mishriff (maroon): second in the Coral-Eclipse last time outCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Mishriff

Form 214-02

Strengths Mishriff put a lacklustre performance in the Saudi Cup firmly behind him when a fast finishing second in the Coral-Eclipse. On that evidence stepping back up to 1m4f – the distance over which he won the Dubai Sheema Classic – can only be a help for this multiple Group 1 winner.

Weaknesses He has to give a lot of weight away to some very exciting three-year-olds, which he wasn't able to do in the last two runnings of the Coral-Eclipse, or in last year's King George. It will be the first time since October 2020 that David Egan won't ride the five-year-old, after the rider's recent split with owner Prince Faisal.

Odds 7-2

What they say John Gosden, joint-trainer (after the Coral-Eclipse)

"Mishriff missed the break and wound up on the rail and he's run a fabulous race, I'm thrilled with the way he's finished. David did everything right having just missed the break, so it was a super run.

"I think Mishriff was fit enough, he's not blowing too much for that and he's run a superb race against star three-year-olds. The Saudi Cup did not go well, he got a whole load of sand down his throat, they changed the track there and made it heavier. I'm over the moon with the horse."

Torquator Tasso

Form 211-61

Strengths Showed that his reappearance sixth was just a blip by comfortably returning to winning ways in the Group 2 Grosser Hansa-Preis. Torquator Tasso is a three-time Group 1 winner, including last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, demonstrating that he can deliver on the international big stage.

Weaknesses Last year's shock Arc success came on very heavy ground and his other four Group victories have come on a surface with some form of soft in the going description. With the recent heatwave and lack of rain, the going would be the biggest worry for the international challenger whose seasonal debut flop also came on good ground.

Odds 12-1

What they say Marcel Weiss, trainer

"We have a lot of respect for the three-year-olds and for Mishriff. But if you want to win the Arc, you have to beat these horses and he's good enough. It [the ground] will not be a problem. I am very happy with the horse and if everything stays like this, we will come, surely."

Broome: winner over course and distance last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Broome

Form 020-51

Strengths Broome put up a career-best performance on Racing Post Ratings in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot under a brilliant front-running ride by Ryan Moore. As Aidan O'Brien's sole representative, he warrants respect if putting in a similar performance to last month's Group 2 win.

Weaknesses He is unlikely to be afforded a similar sort of lead this time around with Pyledriver another who can go forward and, as most of the field tend to be held-up, he could set the race up for one of the closers. He is also yet to win a Group 1 in Britain or Ireland and was well beaten in this race last year so may lack the class required at this level.

Odds 14-1

What they say Jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien (after the Hardwicke Stakes)

Moore: "The horse was in unbelievable shape and he put up an excellent performance. He was in a great rhythm and was fantastic. I couldn't have been happier with him."

O'Brien: "Ryan knows what he's doing and gave him a brilliant ride – as always. The horse fractured his shin in Japan and was off for a long time. He had a very good comeback run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and we were happy."

Pyledriver

Form 12-042

Strengths Pyledriver has been a star for his connections and has rarely run a bad race over 1m4f – the exception being Serpentine's Derby in 2020 – and returned with a solid second in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on his first domestic start of the season. He goes on every type of ground and has also won the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes over course and distance.

Weaknesses Only three winners this century have been five or older with superstar mare Enable accounting for two of those wins so Pyledriver has it all to do against his younger rivals. Although runner-up at Epsom, Pyledriver was readily put in his place by Hukum, and has recorded five of his top six RPRs going left-handed.

Odds 12-1

What they say William Muir, joint-trainer

"He's ready and has done everything I could have asked of him; he's in very good shape.

"Do we ever mention the King George and say it's not going to be a very good race? It's a fantastic race to be part of. It's no different from an Arc and even the Irish Derby winner can't go there thinking they're an odds-on certainty – nobody can because this is a very good race. I don't know who is the one to beat. We're 16-1 and I love that."

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Ascot, Saturday)

Coral: 11-8 Westover, 5-2 Emily Upjohn, 7-2 Mishriff, 12 Pyledriver, Torquator Tasso, 14 Broome

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