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 roundup of the most compelling races from the weekend meetings at Ascot and York. The Japanese racing scene holds a special place in my heart after three winters of riding in Tokyo, 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 carries a chip on his shoulder after being edged out at the line in the Japan Cup last November. Since that narrow defeat, he has shown his class by finishing a gallant runner‑up to Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup, while the French champion has continued to add top‑level victories such as the Sheema Classic and the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud to an already impressive résumé. Regardless of the final order, the race promises to be a thriller. Aidan O'Brien’s Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini will be tasked with carrying a substantial weight penalty, which could open a window for Masquerade Ball to deliver one of Japan’s most memorable triumphs abroad.
The colt is a year younger than the formidable Calandagan and, if he can stay on his feet over the uphill finish, he has the speed and stamina to exact revenge. Another story to watch is MOONRISE, who will try to enhance her reputation in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45), a premier two‑year‑old fillies’ contest at Ascot. Trained by Andrew Balding, the daughter of Churchill stepped up in class with a close third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Her combination of a strong temperament and proven form on the track makes her a tough competitor. Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue was fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at the same venue last month. That form has since been validated by the runner‑up Sun Goddess, who captured a Group 2 in Ireland for Aidan O'Brien.
Oisin Murphy’s filly, however, offers better odds value and could be a surprise factor. 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 horses to watch as international stars clash in this prestigious team event. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker turned jockey, is targeting Cheltenham Festival glory with his mounts Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, adding another layer of intrigue to the weekend’s racing narrative. At Ascot, Kalpana is set to challenge Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a clash that could reshape the middle‑distance hierarchy for the season. Meanwhile, legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, underscoring his lasting impact on the sport.
The Epsom Derby will see Benvenuto Cellini lead a four‑strong Aidan O'Brien contingent, promising a tactical battle that could influence the classic’s outcome. Owen Burrows’ filly Touleen was arguably unlucky in the Coronation Stakes when she was forced to split two Guineas winners, despite navigating a difficult passage. 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, with Ryan Moore booked as a significant rider. Never miss a story—our app delivers the latest racing news, interviews and features straight to your phone.
Touleen remains open to improvement and possesses the ability to win at this level without the added pressure of the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes, where she previously chased home Blue Bolt for a second time this year. My husband Tom (Marquand) has a strong contender in the Moët & Chandon International Handicap (2.55) at Ascot: the unbeaten EXTREMELY ZAIN. Although the colt struggled in a hot handicap at York last time out, he rebounded with an impressive win under Cieren Fallon and could handle an 8‑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 that 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 remains high‑quality, led by the globe‑trotting champion ROYAL CHAMPION. Karl Burke’s eight‑year‑old has enjoyed a well‑deserved break after winning the valuable Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and then finishing fourth behind Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in Hong Kong. Tough, resilient, and capable of delivering his best form fresh, Royal Champion now has less to prove than the Dante winner Item, who may have been hindered by ground conditions 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 feels wide‑open, prompting me to back Kevin Ryan’s locally trained WE NEVER STOP, a six‑furlong sprinter likely to go off at generous odds. For the latest horse racing news, interviews and features, stay tuned to 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 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. 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 now train five days a week under a top‑class team, completing rigorous sessions in the gym, on the bike and in the hydro‑pool to regain full movement. The road back from the injury I sustained in a fall at Bath in May is long, but I am pleased to be more active and optimistic about returning to the saddle soon.