The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot is shaping up to be a cracker, with last year's champion Calandagan a strong favourite with a couple of days to go. In the famous Aga Khan Stud silks, the stayer with a turn of foot has taken the team across the world, with top-level triumphs in Japan and Dubai. His record of 10 wins, five seconds and a third from 17 races tells its own story, with the only blip coming when it tipped down before Epsom's Coronation Cup in June. He did not have to be at his best to get back on track in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud earlier this month, but I just wonder whether an extra race might have taken the edge off him for Saturday.
Minnie Hauk for the King George
Masquerade Ball was only a head behind in the Japan Cup as a three-year-old and is just 2lb behind on ratings, while the 11lb Irish Derby hero Benvenuto Cellini receives should bring him right into it in theory. Goliath, Calandagan's stablemate and the impressive 2024 hero, is another who cannot be ignored after an unlucky trip in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
But I'm hoping Aidan O'Brien will give 7-1 chance MINNIE HAUK (3.35) the green light to go back up to 1m 4f, following her exploits at the five-day summer racing feast. Superstar Ombudsman proved to be too speedy at the end of a strongly run Prince Of Wales's Stakes, but she kept galloping all the way to the line to reverse 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe positions with the third Daryz, while the very useful Almaqam was fourth. Ballydoyle have entered a couple of others, and in the hope that the pace is once again honest, Minnie Hauk might be able to get first run on the favourite, who we must remember has posted his most impressive ratings when the ground isn't quite as quick.
Wednesday selections: Holy Legend and Wait For It
Today (Wednesday) I have two to follow, starting with HOLY LEGEND (1.55) in Worcester's Widmer Handicap Chase over 2m 4f. A Little Something will be backed by many to make all, having been on course for a hat-trick when stumbling at the final fence at Stratford 23 days ago. I watched that, wondering how much she had left in reserve, and a further 5lb rise, with some interesting horses in opposition, asks a little more. Holy Legend got his act together to reward market support at Fontwell in June and kept pressing the resurgent Jiair Madrik to the line over course and distance when last seen. I thought jockey James Best looked confident of getting to the leader on that occasion, and a 4lb nudge shows the assessor saw the run in a positive light too - and this hooded chaser looks sure to go well again.
WAIT FOR IT (4.42), unexposed at sprinting distances for a stable good at finding horses who can successfully operate in the lower grades, is the Racing Again 4th August Handicap pick. Liam Bailey seems to have found the key to his charge after a 165-day break, as she showed little for him on the all-weather and turf prior to a third at Carlisle in June, when rider Dougie Costello was suspended for three days for weighing in 2lb overweight. If obtaining a good track position from stall two, sitting off likely leaders Miss Rainbow and stablemate Howzak, Wait For It has a fine chance of breaking his duck at the 13th attempt.
Thursday: Palmarian at Doncaster
On Thursday, PALMARIAN (4.48) has another go at Doncaster's seven furlongs. He found the winning post coming up too soon five days ago and hasn't been with Ruth Carr long. But this smartly-bred, half-brother to Group One winner Blair House, looks to be thriving for the individual attention of a smaller yard.
Friday: Trouville at Uttoxeter
TROUVILLE (2.10), rated in the 80s on the level, has taken to jumping well and sets the standard in Friday's Chloe Mediumship Novices' Hurdle at Uttoxeter, where he also holds an entry in a handicap.
Saturday: Managing Director at York
And going back to Saturday's action, Danny McMenamin will be hoping for a good draw on Sky Bet 'Jump Jockeys' Nunthorpe' Handicap fancy MANAGING DIRECTOR (1.30). The highly competitive event is on the final day of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet - and it is significant that this gelding was kept in training after a 630-day lay-off. A Beverley outing should have blown away the cobwebs for a team that loves having runners on the Knavesmire, and this one can go from the front, with his mark just 1lb higher than when registering an all-the-way Thirsk first in September 2024.
