The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Qipco) is, of course, the showpiece event at Ascot this Saturday. But it doesn’t offer much in the way of betting opportunities as Sir Michael Stoute’s runners, Crystal Ocean and Poet’s Word, will likely dominate the market if John Gosden deems the ground too quick for Cracksman to take his chance. For value, the preceding Gigaset International Stakes is a far more enticing prospect.
Gigaset International Stakes Trends
- Librisa Breeze, in 2016, was the first favourite to oblige in 10 years on his first run over 7f but did continue the outstanding recent trend which greatly favours four and five-year-olds.
- No horse aged older than five has won since the turn of the century and only one three-year-old has won in that time, though the younger generation is more strongly represented this year.
- None winner in 20 years has carried more than 9st7lb with eight of those having an official rating between 95 and 104. Proven ability over 7f or further is an absolutely must according to the statistics but the draw gives us no real clues, though only two of the last 15 winners started from a single-figure draw.
Burnt Sugar justified market support as he came out on top in a tight finish to the bet365 Bunbury Cup at Newmarket two weeks ago and ran well in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last month when the mile proved just too far. However, that narrow victory has earned him a small penalty and several of those just in behind will fancy their chances of reversing the form.
MAKZEEM (10/1 with Ladbrokes among others) may have been a shade unfortunate at HQ as he missed the break and the effort of getting on terms with the leaders cost him in the closing stages. Ryan Moore keeps faith with Roger Charlton’s five-year-old, who has run better than his form figures would suggest this season.
Firmament was just behind Makzeem at Newmarket and fifth in the Gigaset International Stakes last year when racing off a 10lb higher mark. Several of those prominent in the betting this year were behind 12 months ago, including Makzeem, Shady Mccoy and Burnt Sugar, so David O’Meara’s runner is interesting at 16/1 with Ladbrokes.
Spanish City (also a best 16/1) was only beaten half-a-length in the Bunbury Cup and races off the same mark. He’s not run a bad race all year so goes on the short-list but Shady Mccoy (14/1 with 888sport) needs everything to his way. Those aforementioned three-year-olds with a chance of bucking trends are Il Primo Sole (16/1 with sportingbet), who drops back to his winning distance after two solid runs over a mile, and Arbalet (20/1 with sportingbet), who finished fifth in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Ascot last month and had some smart form as a two-year-old.
Gigaset International Stakes Current Best Odds
Flaming Spear, Makzeem and Ripp Orf 10/1, Il Primo Sole and Shady McCoy 14/1, Spanish City, Firmament and Burnt Sugar 16/1, Mubtasim 18/1, Arbalet, Sabador, Cardsharp and Via Serendipity 20/1, Louie de Palma and Chessman 25/1, Clubbable, Lucymai, Hajjam, Mukalal, Ultimate Avenue, Zap and Brian The Snail 33/1, Oh This Is Us and Right Action 40/1, Gallipoli 50/1, Charles Molson, Cold Stare and Mullionheir 66/1, Lady Freyja 80/1
