The King Edward VII Stakes is a Group 2 contest run over 1m4f. It takes place at 17:35 on Friday 24th June, which is the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2023. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

1⁽⁵⁾

121-59

Dubai Mile

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

9-5

112

125

Won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1m2f, heavy) last October and his staying-on fifth in the 2,000 Guineas (1m, soft) suggested he could be a fine middle-distance prospect; better could have been expected in the Derby (1m4f, good to firm), when only ninth, but not every horse takes to Epsom and he retains potential; won on fast ground last summer; not written off.

2⁽¹⁾

112-10

Arrest

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-2

113

129

Fast-ground maiden winner who reappeared with easy win in the Group 3 Chester Vase (1m4f, soft); disappointing favourite in the Derby (1m4f, good to firm) last time but he lost a shoe and Frankie Dettori reported he "hated the track and the ground"; provided conditions suit, it will be no surprise if he taps back into his previous abundant promise with a big performance.

6⁽⁴⁾

22-143

Relentless Voyager

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

102

119

Listed fourth at Newmarket (1m2f, good) last month and third in the Group 2 Italian Derby (1m3f, heavy) last time; has improved with each of his five runs and could continue to progress, but he needs to take a sizeable step forward if he's to win this.

4⁽³⁾

11-38

Continuous

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-2

110

122

Won French Group 3 (1m, very soft) last September to make it 2-2 and reappeared with good third in the Dante at York (10.2f, good to firm) last month; down the field in the Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good) just 19 days ago and has something to prove after that, but he's Aidan O'Brien's sole runner in this race which in itself means he is entitled to respect.

5⁽⁶⁾

17-2

King Of Steel

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Varian

9-2

120

134

Impressive on debut at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) last October then soundly beaten in Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster (1m, heavy) just ten days later; subsequently left David Loughnane and reappeared with a mighty performance in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm), finishing a clear second with three of today's opponents well behind; the one to beat.

3⁽²⁾

1-17

Artistic Star

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

9-2

104

123

Won Nottingham maiden (8.3f, soft) and Sandown novice (1m2f, good to soft) on first two starts; beaten 11l when seventh in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) but produced an eyecatching finish effort after being well behind; he was possibly unsuited by that tricky track and could have more to offer now back on a conventional circuit; interesting contender.

RACING POST TIP

King Of Steel

It is hard to look beyond KING OF STEEL, who was a clear second in the Derby three weeks ago on his first run for Roger Varian and will take an awful lot of beating if reproducing that form. There are glimmers of hope for others, however, especially Artistic Star who was an 11l seventh in the Derby but produced an eyecatching finishing effort after possibly being unsuited by the track. Another factor to consider is that this might become tactical, in which case Derby ninth and possible pacesetter Dubai Mile may be the one to benefit. Arrest (Derby) and Continuous (Prix du Jockey Club) were disappointing last time but represent leading stables and should be capable of better.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2022	Changingoftheguard [3]	3	9-2	11/10	Aidan O’Brien, Ireland	Ryan Moore
2021	Alenquer [3]	3	9-0	13/8F	William Haggas	Tom Marquand
2020	Pyledriver [1]	3	9-0	18-1	William Muir	Martin Dwyer
2019	Japan [2]	3	9-0	6/4F	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2018	Old Persian [9]	3	9-0	9/2	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2017	Permian [11]	3	9-0	6/1	Mark Johnston	William Buick
2016	Across The Stars [4]	3	9-0	7/1	Sir Michael Stoute	Frankie Dettori
2015	Balios [4]	3	9-0	3/1	David Simcock	Jamie Spencer
2014	Eagle Top [5]	3	9-0	12/1	John Gosden	William Buick
2013	Hillstar [8]	3	8-12	15/2	Sir Michael Stoute	Ryan Moore
2012	Thomas Chippendale [5]	3	8-12	9/2	Sir Henry Cecil	Johnny Murtagh

Key race stats

Won within last three starts, 10/10
Adjusted RPR of at least 118, 9/10
Yet to win over 1m4f, 9/10
Within 5lb of RPR top-rated, 7/10
Ran in a recognised Derby trial, 7/10 (three won)
Top-three finish last time out, 7/10

Other factors

The only two winners who had run in Group company as juveniles were Japan and Pyledriver (Japan won a Group 2).

What happened last year?

Another cracking finish with two horses who had run in the Derby just 13 days earlier finishing first and second, Changingoftheguard holding on to deny Grand Alliance by a short head. The winner, who was a front-running fifth at Epsom, stuck to the rail like glue and kept on galloping, while Grand Alliance (11th in the Derby) challenged down the middle of the track and may have won had he not hung badly to his left in the closing stages.

King Edward VII Stakes

15:05 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats

What happened last year?

All Races