Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her perspective on the upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, while also reviewing the highlights from the weekend’s action at both Ascot and York. Japan holds a special place in my heart after three winters of racing in Tokyo, so I’ll be cheering for their standout, Masquerade Ball, in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35) this Saturday at Ascot. Takahisa Tezuka’s colt still has unfinished business with the formidable Calandagan, having been edged out at the very finish line in the Japan Cup last November. Since that narrow defeat, Masquerade Ball has proven his mettle, finishing a brave second to Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup, while the French champion has added the Sheema Classic and the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud to an already impressive résumé.
Whatever the outcome, the race promises to be a nail‑biter. Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini will be carrying a substantial weight penalty, but I suspect everything is aligning for Masquerade Ball to deliver one of the most memorable Japanese triumphs in recent memory. He is a year younger than Calandagan and still possesses room for improvement; if the uphill finish doesn’t sap his stamina, revenge could be on the cards. MOONRISE has a chance to boost her standing in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45), a premier two‑year‑old fillies’ contest at Ascot.
Andrew Balding’s daughter of Churchill stepped up in class when she finished a close third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting. Her combination of a good temperament and proven form on the track makes her a tough contender. Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue was fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at this venue last month – a performance that has since been eclipsed by the runner‑up Sun Goddess, who captured a Group 2 in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien.
Nevertheless, Oisin Murphy’s filly offers attractive value for punters. Hollie Doyle also notes that Thunder Call could play a role in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. The Shergar Cup will feature five horses selected by Jamie Lynch as the ones to watch as international stars clash on the Ascot course.
Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his mounts Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana managed to beat Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, adding another exciting chapter to the day’s narrative. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, recognising his contributions to the sport.
In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑horse Aidan O’Brien contingent aiming for Epsom glory. There is no denying that Owen Burrows’ filly Touleen was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes when she was forced to split two Guineas winners, despite navigating a very difficult passage. Touleen will be a strong favourite for the Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes (2.20) under William Buick, though I am inclined to back Jane Chapple‑Hyam’s KON TIKI, which also has Ryan Moore booked as a significant rider. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are just a tap away on your mobile device.
Open to improvement, she (Touleen) is more than capable of winning at this level and should find the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes less demanding after having chased home Blue Bolt for the second time this year. My husband Tom (Marquand) backs a favourite in the Moët & Chandon International Handicap (2.55) at Ascot: the unbeaten EXTREMELY ZAIN, a horse with the potential to contest further Pattern races later in the season. Although EXTREMELY ZAIN did not produce his best run in a hot handicap at York previously, he managed to secure an impressive victory under Cieren Fallon and now faces an 8‑pound penalty from a decent draw.
The race will be ultra‑tough, so keep an eye on Jack Channon’s Mezcala, the Buckingham Palace winner for Tom, who still has more to give despite stepping up to a stiffer mark of 98. I am disappointed that the Sky Bet York Stakes (2.35) at York attracted only five runners, but the field remains high‑quality, led by the globe‑trotting marvel ROYAL CHAMPION. Karl Burke’s eight‑year‑old has enjoyed a well‑deserved spell after 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 fresh, Royal Champion has less to prove than Dante winner Item, who may have been compromised by the ground in the Epsom Derby but now needs to take a significant step forward to claim this Group 2. The Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.00) at York feels wide open, so I’m opting for value in Kevin Ryan’s locally trained WE NEVER STOP, a horse that looks set to deliver a big price in the six‑furlong sprint. Stay up‑to‑date with the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing.
Having his second start after wind‑surgery, the horse can build on an encouraging close second at Chester last month for a trainer who excels on The Knavesmire. I expected Addison Grey to win after chasing home the subsequent Wokingham Winner Double Rush at Newmarket, but Clive Cox’s grey has not capitalised in his two runs since.
Nevertheless, an unchanged mark of 94 should keep him firmly in the mix. Since receiving clearance last week to begin weight‑bearing on my broken left leg, I have intensified my rehabilitation routine at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
I train there five days a week under a top‑class team, completing rigorous sessions in the gym, on the bike and in the hydro‑pool with the goal of regaining full mobility. The road back from the injury I suffered in a fall at Bath in May is long, but it feels encouraging to finally be more active and to see progress each day.