Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her perspective on the upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and offers a quick run‑down of the most compelling contests from the weekend’s meetings at Ascot and York. Having spent three winters racing in Tokyo, Japan holds a special place in my heart, so I’ll be cheering for the Japanese contender Masquerade Ball in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35) at Ascot on Saturday.
The colt, trained by Takahisa Tezuka, still has a score to settle with the formidable Calandagan after being edged out at the finish line in the Japan Cup last November. Since that narrow defeat, Masquerade Ball has shown his class by finishing a gallant runner‑up to Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup, while the French star has added the Sheema Classic and the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud to an already impressive résumé. No matter how the race unfolds, it promises to be a nail‑biting affair. Aidan O'Brien’s Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini will be carrying a substantial weight penalty, which could open the door for Masquerade Ball to deliver one of the most memorable triumphs for a Japanese horse in recent British racing history.
At just a year younger than Calandagan and still showing signs of improvement, Masquerade Ball has the speed and stamina to exact revenge, provided the uphill finish at Ascot does not sap his energy. Another story to watch is the two‑year‑old filly Moonrise, who will try to boost her reputation in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45) for juvenile fillies at Ascot. Trained by Andrew Balding, Moonrise is a daughter of the outstanding sire Churchill and stepped up in class admirably when she placed a close third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting. Her combination of a good temperament and proven form on the course makes her a serious contender.
Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue, who was fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at York last month, also merits attention. Although that form has since been eclipsed by the runner‑up Sun Goddess, who went on to win a Group 2 for Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, Oisin Murphy’s filly offers solid value at current odds. In other news, I expect Thunder Call to feature prominently in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday.
Jamie Lynch will have five runners in the international showdown, and former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his charges Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes also saw a surprise when Kalpana managed to beat Calandagan, adding another twist to the race narrative.
Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was recently honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, underscoring his enduring contribution to the sport. Turning to the Derby, Aidan O'Brien fields a four‑strong team led by Benvenuto Cellini for the Epsom Classic, a line‑up that should keep the betting public busy. Meanwhile, Owen Burrows’ filly Touleen, who was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes after being forced to split two Guineas winners, will be a strong favourite for the Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes (2.20) under William Buick. I am inclined to back Jane Chapple‑Hyam’s KON TIKI, with Ryan Moore booked as a second key rider.
Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are now available on your phone. Stay tuned for updates. Touleen, still open to improvement, possesses the class to win at this level and should find the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes less demanding after she chased home Blue Bolt for a second time this season. My husband Tom (Marquand) has a strong contender in the Moët & Chandon International Handicap (2.55) at Ascot: the unbeaten EXTREMELY ZAIN.
This colt has the potential to step up into Pattern races later in the year. Although his last run in a hot handicap at York was not ideal, he rebounded with an impressive victory under Cieren Fallon and appears capable of handling an eight‑pound increase from a decent draw. One horse to watch closely is Jack Channon’s Mezcala, the Buckingham Palace winner for Tom.
Despite returning after a tough spell and carrying a higher mark of 98, Mezcala still has plenty to offer. I was disappointed to see only five runners entered in the Sky Bet York Stakes (2.35) at York, but the field remains high‑quality, led by the globetrotting champion ROYAL CHAMPION. Trained by Karl Burke, the eight‑year‑old has enjoyed a well‑earned break since winning the lucrative Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and then finishing fourth behind Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in Hong Kong.
Tough, resilient, and capable of finding his best form when fresh, Royal Champion has less to prove than Dante winner Item, who may have been compromised by ground conditions in the Epsom Derby but now needs a decisive effort to secure this Group 2. The Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.00) at York feels wide open, and I’m opting for value in Kevin Ryan’s locally trained WE NEVER STOP, a six‑furlong sprinter likely to be offered at generous odds. Recent horse racing news, interviews and features continue to pour in from Sky Sports Racing, keeping fans informed of every development.
After his second start following wind‑shaft surgery, a promising colt is looking to build on a close second at Chester last month for a trainer who excels on The Knavesmire. I had expected Addison Grey to win after he chased home the Wokingham Winner Double Rush at Newmarket, but Clive Cox’s grey has yet to deliver a win in his two recent outings. Nevertheless, an unchanged rating of 94 should keep him in contention. On a personal note, since receiving clearance last week to begin weight‑bearing on my broken left leg, I have intensified my rehabilitation at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
I now train five days a week under a dedicated team, combining gym work, cycling and hydro‑pool sessions to regain mobility. The road to full recovery after the fall at Bath in May is long, but I am encouraged by the progress and look forward to returning to the saddle soon.