Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her insights on the upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, while also offering a quick rundown of the most compelling action from the weekend 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.
The colt, 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, Masquerade Ball has shown his class by finishing a brave runner‑up 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 thriller. Aidan O'Brien’s Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini will be carrying a significant weight penalty, and I suspect the conditions are shaping up perfectly for Masquerade Ball to deliver one of the most memorable Japanese triumphs in recent memory.
The colt is a year younger than Calandagan and still possesses room for improvement; if he can stay on his feet over the uphill finish, revenge could be theirs. Another story to watch is Moonrise, who will try to boost her reputation in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45), a key two‑year‑old fillies’ contest at Ascot. Trained by Andrew Balding, the daughter of Churchill stepped up in class with a hard‑fought third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting. Her tenacity and recent form make her a genuine threat.
Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue, who was fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at the same track last month, also merits attention. Although his recent form has been eclipsed by the runner‑up Sun Goddess, who later captured a Group 2 in Ireland for Aidan O'Brien, Oisin Murphy’s filly still offers attractive value for punters.
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 follow as international stars clash, and former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now targeting Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes also saw an upset as Kalpana managed to defeat Calandagan, underscoring the unpredictable nature of top‑level racing. Meanwhile, legendary jockey Ryan Moore was honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, a fitting tribute to his long and distinguished career.
At Epsom, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong Aidan O'Brien contingent for the Derby, illustrating the Irish trainer’s continued dominance in classic races. Turning to the fillies’ division, Owen Burrows’ Touleen was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes when she was forced to split two Guineas winners despite a challenging trip. She will now be a leading contender for the Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes (2.20) under William Buick, though I am inclined to back Jane Chapple‑Hyam’s KON TIKI, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore and could prove a decisive factor. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are now available on your mobile device.
Stay informed and never miss a beat. Touleen, still open to improvement, 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 the second time this year. My husband Tom (Marquand) has placed a favourite’s chance on the unbeaten EXTREMELY ZAIN in the Moët & Chandon International Handicap (2.55) at Ascot. The colt has the potential to step up into Pattern races later in the season.
Although his last run in a hot handicap at York was not ideal, he still managed an impressive win 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, a Buckingham Palace winner for Tom who may still have more to give despite returning on a stiffer mark of 98. I was disappointed to see only five runners entered in the Sky Bet York Stakes (2.35) at York, but the field is still of high quality, headed by the globe‑trotting champion ROYAL CHAMPION.
Karl Burke’s 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. Tough, resilient, and able to find his best form when fresh, Royal Champion now has less to prove than the Dante winner Item, who may have been compromised by ground conditions in the Epsom Derby but now needs to make a significant step forward to claim this Group 2. The Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.00) at York looks wide open, and I am opting for value in Kevin Ryan’s locally trained WE NEVER STOP, which appears set to go off at generous odds in the six‑furlong sprint. Recent form notes: after wind‑surgery, the horse is making a second start and can build on a promising close second at Chester last month for a trainer who excels at The Knavesmire.
Addison Grey was expected to win after chasing home the subsequent Wokingham Winner Double Rush at Newmarket, but Clive Cox’s grey has not capitalised in his two recent runs. Nevertheless, an unchanged mark of 94 should keep him firmly in the mix. 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 top‑class team, completing rigorous gym sessions, bike work and hydro‑pool therapy to improve mobility.
The road to full recovery after the fall at Bath in May is long, but I am encouraged by the progress and grateful to be more active again.