There are just six runners for the King George 2022 after Ascot’s midsummer highlight cut-up following penultimate declarations for the feature 1m 4f Group 1 event on Saturday, 23 July.
Despite a small field for the headline race of King George weekend, the betting has been shaken up by recent events. A setback last week for Epsom Derby winner Desert Crown ruled him out of taking on his elders for the first time here.
Although Sir Michael Stoute’s new stable star is a notable absentee, there’s also an initially unintended runner added into the mix. That is none other than Emily Upjohn, an unlucky runner-up in the Epsom Oaks who saw her flight to the Emerald Isle for the Irish Oaks cancelled on Friday.
Despite an enforced change of target, we still have the Classic generation represented. Joining Emily Upjohn among remaining runners for the King George 2022 is Irish Derby hero Westover. Ralph Beckett’s charge heads the betting for this contest. Here, SportsLens experts look all six still in the running.
RELATED: Get the lowdown on Ascot races today in our complete course guide.
Runners for King George 2022 – Pros and Cons
WESTOVER @ 6/4 with LiveScore Bet
- Trainer: Ralph Beckett
- Jockey: Colin Keane
- Age: 3
- Rating: 120
- Weight: 8st 12lb
- Form: 122-131
Pros: Comes to Ascot off the back of a facile Irish Derby victory last time out. Still unexposed at this trip after just outings over a mile-and-a-half.
Cons: Colin Keane is in the saddle again but seldom rides at Ascot. Westover isn’t guaranteed to get a strong pace here in what could be a tactical race. Stamina, rather than a turn of foot, looks his greatest asset. The Irish Derby form took a knock, meanwhile, when runner-up Piz Badile trailed in last for the Grand Prix de Paris.
EMILY UPJOHN @ 15/8 with LiveScore Bet
- Trainers: John and Thady Gosden
- Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- Age: 3
- Rating: 117
- Weight: 8st 9lb
- Form:1-112
Pros: Least exposed runner in the field after just the four career starts. More to come as well over this distance after stepping up to it and almost landing a Classic last time out. Emily Upjohn gets weight all-round, and a whole stone from the older horses, for a yard with five wins in the race since 2011.
Cons: This was not the plan. Gosden senior said he respected both the big name three-year-old colts, but Desert Crown’s loss could be a gain for Emily Upjohn….
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