Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her perspective on the upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this Saturday, while also reviewing the standout performances from the weekend’s meetings at Ascot and York. Japan has always held a special place in my heart after three winters of racing in Tokyo, so I’ll be cheering for their star, Masquerade Ball, in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35) at Ascot on Saturday. Takahisa Tezuka’s colt still has unfinished business with the formidable Calandagan after being edged out at the finish line in the Japan Cup last November. Since that close defeat, the horse has produced a gallant second‑place effort 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, but I suspect everything is aligning for Masquerade Ball to deliver one of the most memorable Japanese victories in recent memory.
At a year younger than Calandagan and still capable of improvement, he can exact revenge provided the uphill finish does not sap his stamina. MOONRISE also has a chance to boost her reputation in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45), the premier two‑year‑old fillies’ contest at Ascot. Andrew Balding’s daughter of Churchill stepped up in class with a tight third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting, and her combination of a keen attitude and solid track form makes her a hard‑to‑ignore contender.
Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue was fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at this course last month – a performance that has since been eclipsed by the runner‑up Sun Goddess, who claimed a Group 2 victory in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien. Nevertheless, Oisin Murphy’s filly offers attractive value at current odds.
Hollie Doyle also notes that Thunder Call is expected to feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday. In the Shergar Cup, Jamie Lynch has five horses to watch as international stars clash on the Ascot track.
Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana managed to defeat Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the race. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was recently awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, a testament to his enduring contribution to the sport.
In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑strong Aidan O’Brien contingent for the Epsom Classic. There is no denying that Owen Burrows’ filly Touleen was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes when she was caught in a difficult passage that 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 top jockey. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are always at your fingertips on your phone.
Touleen remains open to improvement and is more than capable of winning at this level. The Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes should not prove overly demanding, especially 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, who could soon be contesting 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 appears ready to handle an eight‑pound increase 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 since winning the valuable Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and then finishing fourth behind Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in Hong Kong. Royal Champion is tough, resilient, and capable of finding peak form fresh, with less to prove than the Dante winner Item, who may have been disadvantaged by the ground in the Epsom Derby but now needs a big 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 feature.
Recent horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing continue to highlight the sport’s excitement. 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 he chased 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.
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 a top‑class team, completing strong gym sessions, bike work and hydro‑pool workouts aimed at restoring greater mobility. The road back from the injury I sustained in a fall at Bath in May is long, but it feels encouraging to finally be more active and to see progress each day.