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 most compelling performances from the weekend’s meetings at Ascot and York. Japan holds a special place in my heart after three winters of riding in Tokyo, so I’ll be cheering for their star, Masquerade Ball, in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35) this Saturday at Ascot.
Takahisa Tezuka’s colt 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 close defeat, the Japanese runner has produced a gallant runner‑up effort to Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup, while the French champion has bolstered his résumé with victories in the Sheema Classic and the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud. Whatever the outcome, the race promises to be a classic thriller. Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini will be carrying a substantial weight penalty, and I suspect everything is aligning for Masquerade Ball to deliver one of the most memorable Japanese triumphs in recent history.
At a year younger than Calandagan and still showing signs of improvement, Masquerade Ball can exact revenge provided the uphill finish does not sap his stamina. In the two‑year‑old fillies’ division, MOONRISE has a chance to enhance her reputation in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45) at Ascot.
Andrew Balding’s daughter of Churchill stepped up in class with a close third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting, and her combination of a keen attitude and solid form makes her a tough contender. Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue finished fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at this venue last month.
Since then, the runner‑up Sun Goddess has claimed a Group 2 win in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien, suggesting that Oisin Murphy’s filly may offer better value for punters. Hollie Doyle also notes that Thunder Call could feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday.
Jamie Lynch will have five horses to watch as international stars clash in the event. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now pursuing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana will be looking to upset Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, while legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong Aidan O’Brien contingent for the Epsom Classic. Meanwhile, Owen Burrows’ filly Touleen was unfortunate in the Coronation Stakes, having been caught in a difficult passage despite splitting two Guineas winners.
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 rider. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are available on your phone. Find out more. Open to improvement, Touleen is more than capable of winning 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 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 higher‑level 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 penalty from a decent draw.
The race will be tough, so keep an eye on Jack Channon’s Mezcala, the Buckingham Palace winner for Tom, who still has plenty to offer despite returning on a stiffer mark of 98. I am disappointed that the Sky Bet York Stakes (2.35) at York attracted only five runners, yet the field is of high quality, led by the globe‑trotting champion ROYAL CHAMPION.
Karl Burke’s eight‑year‑old has enjoyed a well‑deserved spell after winning the valuable Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and 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 hindered by ground conditions 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 am opting for value in Kevin Ryan’s locally trained WE NEVER STOP, which looks set to go off at generous odds in the six‑furlong contest. Having his second start after wind‑surgery, the horse can build on a encouraging close second at Chester last month for a trainer who excels at 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 two runs since. Nonetheless, 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 now train five days a week under the guidance of an excellent team, completing strong sessions in the gym, on the bike and in the hydro‑pool to improve mobility. It is a long road back from the injury I sustained in a fall at Bath in May, but it feels encouraging to finally be more active and to see progress each day.