Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her insights on the upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, while also reviewing the standout performances from the recent meetings at Ascot and York. Having spent three winters competing 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) this Saturday at Ascot. Masquerade Ball, trained by Takahisa Tezuka, still has a score to settle with the formidable Calandagan after narrowly missing out in the Japan Cup last November.
Since that close defeat, the colt has shown his class by finishing a courageous runner‑up to Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup, while the French‑trained star has added victories in 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 significant weight penalty, which could open a window for Masquerade Ball. I believe everything aligns for the Japanese horse to deliver one of the most memorable triumphs for his country.
At a year younger than Calandagan and still capable of improvement, Masquerade Ball can exact revenge provided the uphill finish doesn’t sap his stamina. Another story to watch is Moonrise, who will try to enhance her standing in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45), a premier race for two‑year‑old fillies at Ascot. Trained by Andrew Balding, the daughter of the legendary Churchill stepped up in class with a tight third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Her blend of a good temperament and proven form on the track makes her a serious contender. Richard Hannon’s filly Dark Issue placed fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Ascot last month. Since then, the runner‑up Sun Goddess has captured a Group 2 in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien, suggesting the form is strong.
However, Oisin Murphy’s Dark Issue offers attractive value for punters looking for a bargain. 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 this Saturday.
Jamie Lynch will have five horses to watch as international stars clash in the competition. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now pursuing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, highlighting the crossover appeal of racing among athletes from other sports. At Ascot, the headline clash sees Kalpana taking on Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a battle that could reshape the hierarchy of middle‑distance horses this season.
Legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, a testament to his enduring contribution to the sport. The Derby scene is also shaping up, with Benvenuto Cellini leading a four‑horse Aidan O’Brien contingent for the Epsom Classic, underscoring O’Brien’s dominance in top‑level races. It is worth noting that Owen Burrows’ filly Touleen was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes when she was caught in a difficult passage despite having split two Guineas winners. She 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 rider.
Touleen remains open to improvement and should be more than capable of winning at this level. The upcoming Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes will likely be less demanding, especially after she chased home Blue Bolt for the second time this year. My husband Tom Marquand backs the unbeaten EXTREMELY ZAIN in the Moët & Chandon International Handicap (2.55) at Ascot.
The colt has the potential to compete in Pattern races later in the season. Although his last run in a hot handicap at York was not ideal, he still managed an impressive victory under Cieren Fallon and could handle an eight‑pound increase given his decent draw. The race will be tough, so keep an eye on Jack Channon’s Mezcala, a Buckingham Palace winner for Tom, which still has plenty to give despite stepping up to a higher weight of 98. I am disappointed that the Sky Bet York Stakes (2.35) at York attracted only five runners, but the field is nonetheless high‑quality, headed by the globetrotting champion ROYAL CHAMPION.
Trained by Karl Burke, the eight‑year‑old has enjoyed a well‑deserved spell since winning the lucrative Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and then finishing fourth behind Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in Hong Kong. Royal Champion is a tough, resilient horse who often finds his best form when fresh. He now has less to prove than the Dante winner Item, who may have been compromised by the ground in the Epsom Derby but now needs to step up to claim a Group 2 victory.
The Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.00) at York looks wide open, prompting me to back Kevin Ryan’s locally trained WE NEVER STOP, which appears to be a value pick in the six‑furlong sprint. In other updates, a horse returning for a second start after wind‑surgery can build on a promising close second at Chester last month. The trainer, known for his success at the Knavesmire, will be looking to improve that performance. 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 capitalise in two starts.
Nevertheless, an unchanged rating 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 five days a week under an excellent team, completing rigorous gym sessions, cycling, and hydro‑pool work to regain mobility.
The road to full recovery after the fall at Bath in May is long, but I am pleased to be more active and making steady progress.