Kalpana attempting to beat the boys in King George
Andrew Balding's charge rounded off her three-year-old campaign with Group One success over the course and distance on Champions Day and has not done much wrong in two starts since, finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then second in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland.
Back on home soil, Kalpana is the only filly in a field of five, with Oisin Murphy deputising in the saddle for the suspended Colin Keane.
Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: "We're all set for Saturday, I think we were hoping for a bit more rain than has actually fallen, but it is what it is and I'm sure it'll be nice ground on the day.
"It's a top-class renewal, as you would expect for such a good race, but we're looking forward to partaking in it."
Juddmonte's Bluestocking found only Goliath too strong in last year's King George before going on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the colours of the late Khalid Abdullah, who also claimed Ascot's midsummer highlight with Dancing Brave and superstar mare Enable, the latter on three occasions.
Both of those equine greats also landed Europe's premier middle-distance contest, Enable doing so in successive years in 2017 and 2018, and a potential trip to Paris in early October has already been pencilled in for Kalpana ahead of what connections admit is a stern test this weekend.
"Rebel's Romance is such a legend of a horse and Calandagan and Jan Brueghel are obviously very, very talented," Mahon added.
"We think going back up to a mile and a half will suit our filly and Andrew said she worked well on Wednesday morning and he's very happy with her, so we're hopeful that her first two runs have set her up nicely for this."
The top two in the market are Jan Brueghel and Calandagan, who renew rivalry after finishing first and second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in early June.
While Calandagan has since broken his top-level duck in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Jan Brueghel has been kept fresh by Aidan O'Brien and is interestingly fitted with cheekpieces for the first time as he bids to provide his trainer with a fifth King George success.
O'Brien, who also saddles the rank outsider and probable pacemaker Continuous, said: "Jan Brueghel is good, everything has gone well since the last day.
"It will be an interesting race and the ground looks like it's going to be nice.
"Continuous rolls along usually and he'll go forward, but if someone else wants to go on (and make the running), he'll be happy too."
Francis Henri-Graffard's Calandagan has already shown his liking for Ascot, dominating his rivals in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting last summer before finishing a close second to Anmaat in October's Champion Stakes.
Buoyed by his long-awaited first Group One success on home soil four weeks ago, connections are excited to be heading back to Berkshire.
Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: "The horse is in very good form, he took his win at Saint-Cloud very well. I spoke with Mickael Barzalona who rode him in his last piece of work and he's very happy with him.
"It's a small field, but he has to take on Jan Brueghel again and obviously Rebel's Romance was impressive last time out.
"He doesn't have much ground to make up on Jan Brueghel and although they were calling the ground good to soft at Epsom, we felt it was riding softer that day. He handles softer ground so we can't use that as an excuse, but I just think maybe his acceleration is a a bit more decisive on firmer ground.
"When it becomes a heavy-duty slugging match I'm not sure that's really his game, but when he can use his acceleration on good, fast ground I think that's when he's at his best."
The small but select field is completed by Rebel's Romance, who has won seven Group Ones on foreign soil and bids to break his top-level duck at home following his course-and-distance success in last month's Hardwicke Stakes.
Speaking on the Godolphin website, trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race (finished third), and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around.
"He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race."
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The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He will finish like a train' – Templegate's BIG 22-1 NAP and 1-2-3 King George prediction at Ascot
TEMPLEGATE tackles a monster Saturday of racing confident of bashing the bookies. The big race of the day is the King George from Ascot at 4.10pm - back a horse by clicking their odds below and check out this Advertisement SWORD (3.00 Ascot, nap) Looks sharp in the big £150,000 International Handicap. He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. The bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. CALANDAGAN (4.10 Ascot, nb) He has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Read on for my King George 1-2-3 prediction. Advertisement ALMAQAM (2.40 York, treble) He looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Templegate's TV verdicts ASCOT Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing 1.40 FITZELLA ran a cracker in the Albany here when she was much the best of the high-drawn horses and those up with the pace early. That was just her third run, and the daughter of Too Darn Hot already boasts a dominant Haydock maiden win, where she powered clear. The Dubawi filly is sister to Breeders' Cup hero Space Blues so is bred to be top class. She could improve significantly. Advertisement Bella Lyra also brings Listed form to the table, having gone down narrowly in a strong Newmarket contest. Her smooth Windsor win before that was eye-catching and Ryan Moore keeps the ride. Amberia and Argentine Tango are closely tied in with Bella Lyra and have place claims. 2.20 Advertisement JANCIS ran a stormer last time out in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at The Curragh, finishing fifth behind top-class Whirl and staying on nicely. She already has a Group 3 success on her CV from last season and dropping back to a mile holds no fears. Royal Dress is a big player after a dominant Listed win at Pontefract and she's shown her best over this distance. All ground suits and she won't be far away. Advertisement Chantilly Lace brings strong Royal Ascot form from the Coronation where she still looked green after just three runs. The fact she was in that race shows what Ralph Beckett thinks of her and this should be easier. Cajole was just a length away in a Sandown Listed race last time and likes quick ground. The booking of William Buick for the Gosdens takes the eye. Advertisement Lou Lou's Gift needed the run at Chelmsford after a year off and could nick a place. 3.00 SWORD looks sharp in the £150,000 International Handicap (3.00 Ascot). He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. Advertisement David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. Akkadian Thunder, Aalto and Kodi Lion look the biggest dangers. Here's my big-race guide and rating out of five, with one the worst and five the best: ZOUM ZOUM 2 Advertisement ZOUM raider. Listed second earlier this season but faded in the Wokingham and stamina a worry over this trip in a strongly-run race. CITY HOUSE 1 SIN City. Tidy Bahrain record but poor UK form and needs cheekpieces to work wonders. ARRAY 3 Advertisement RAY of hope. Group 2 win last season on soft but form has dipped a little. Stays and may do better in hcap. NORTHERN EXPRESS 3 EXPRESS delivery. Won this last year and shaped well at Haydock last time. Solid chance from 2lb lower. GOLDEN MIND 2 Advertisement MIND games. Consistent in early season but poor in the Wokingham last time. Good claimer on but needs more. GALERON 3 ON the hunt. Well handicapped on past Group form and shaped better than result last time. Place say. AKKADIAN THUNDER 4 Advertisement THUNDER clap. Excellent second in the Buckingham Palace and no luck last time. Can produce another late surge and hit the frame. OLIVER SHOW 2 NO Show. Three AW wins last year and close second in the Lincoln before a poor run ehre latest. Needs best. YORKSHIRE 3 Advertisement YORK talk. Fair run in Buckingham Palace and 1lb lower now. Likes it quick and can't be ignored. FRESH 3 GET Fresh. Won this in 2022 off 3lb higher and fitter for his comeback at Newcastle. Veteran but in place hunt. CERULEAN BAY 2 Advertisement NAY Bay. In and out this year and below form in big handicaps. Needs more from this pretty lofty mark. NOBLE TRUTH 2 TRUTH or dare. Group winner in his prime but out of sorts this season and difficult to fancy despite falling handicap mark. BILLYJOH 3 Advertisement GO Joh. Running well in major handicaps and Bunbury Cup third reads well so place claims again if pace collapses. KODI LION 4 LION roars. Impressive in a big field at Haydock and has good C&D form. Had excuses last time and should go close. QAZAQ 3 Advertisement ZAQ attack. Cracking AW record and some promise over this trip at HQ last time. Can do better. AALTO 4 AALTO play for. Stormed home when second in Bunbury Cup and runs off same mark. Trip suits and William Buick takes over. LORD BERTIE 2 Advertisement LORD help him. Has run well here before but recent form is poor and this looks tough. TWO TRIBES 2 TWO much. Long losing run but promise over this trip at HQ latest. This is tougher. CLASSIC 3 Advertisement HAS Class. Ran well to land nice prize at Sandown last time over a mile. Drop in trip not ideal but a repeat could see him place. PALS BATTALION 1 NO Punter's Pal. Won on AW in spring but turf efforts have been poor this season. Hard to fancy. AL AMEEN 1 Advertisement AL pass. Useful AW form and best over this trip but has sights raised here. SWORD 5 MIGHTY Sword. Bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. 3.35 Advertisement BOPEDRO is a consistent performer at this level and he ran another massive race when less than a length away at York last time. His last Ascot run saw him go close in the Royal Hunt Cup so this straight mile is right up his street. He has plenty of weight but should be right there. Bullet Point sets the standard after his second in the Hunt Cup on top of three wins. Advertisement A 3lb rise is fair and he'll go close for William Haggas albeit at a fairly skinny price. Teroomm met with real traffic problems in the Buckingham Palace here last time but had been in fine form earlier and could easily bounce back. All-weather winner Cosi Bello went close on his turf debut at Chester and is another in the mix along with Supido who ran well in the Britannia. 4.10 Advertisement CALANDAGAN has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Advertisement Jan Breughel is the one to fear again given he comes here fresher having not run since Epsom. He is a strong stayer but it's interesting to see Aidan O'Brien put cheekpieces on him today which should sharpen him up. It should be another good battle between the pair. Rebel's Romance is proven at this level and will be no pushover, but may just the legs of his younger rivals. Advertisement Kalpana is a smashing filly. She's an Ascot Group 1 on her CV and gets weight, but she'll still need to find more to shine in this company. My 1-2-3 is: 1st Calandagan 2nd Jan Brueghel 3rd Rebel's Romance YORK Advertisement 2.00 ALZAHIR can keep his fantastic winning run going. He brought up the hat-trick well in a big field at Ascot last time and can cope with a 3lb rise in the weights. He will like this test and goes on any ground. There's every chance of the four-timer. Advertisement Plenty of others lurk with chances. Elmonjed went close at Windsor and is still on a fair mark, while Strike Red, often the bridesmaid, gets conditions to suit and is weighted to go close. Jubilee Walk ran a cracker behind Alzahir at Chester on return and should come on for that, especially with a more prominent ride. Brooklyn Nine Nine is progressive and stayed on strongly to win last time – he's unexposed at this level and won't mind the ground. Advertisement And don't give up on Korker, who returns to his favourite track. 2.40 ALMAQAM looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. Advertisement This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Stanhope Gardens was a respectable fifth in the Derby when he didn't seem to stay 1m4f after travelling well. Dropping in trip looks a wise move and he's another who handles slowish ground. Green Impact was sixth in the Irish Derby latest after winning a Listed contest around this trip. Advertisement He has enough pace to be competitive for Jessica Harrington. Bay City Roller is proven in this grade and just about stayed this far in France last time so can't be ignored. 3.20 COPPER KNIGHT has a solid York record and the 11-year-old has looked up to the task this season in winning twice before going close here last time out. Advertisement He's scored off marks 20lb higher than this in his prime and has enough boot left to strike here for Tim Easterby. He goes on any ground and his middle draw gives him options. Bona Fortuna has been knocking on the door over this trip and is only 2lb higher than his last win. He doesn't mind a bit of juice underfoot. Advertisement 2022 winner Birkenhead went close at Ripon last time and is capable of holding on for a place if blasting off as usual with trainer Paul Midgley in decent nick. Fortunate Star is in flying form having won at Haydock before going close at Donny latest. He should still be ahead of the handicapper and likes this trip. Looking For Lynda is out of sorts but enjoys York and could hit the frame at tasty odds. Advertisement Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Kalpana attempting to beat the boys in King George
Kalpana returns to the scene of her finest hour for a mouthwatering renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Andrew Balding's charge rounded off her three-year-old campaign with Group One success over the course and distance on Champions Day and has not done much wrong in two starts since, finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then second in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland. Back on home soil, Kalpana is the only filly in a field of five, with Oisin Murphy deputising in the saddle for the suspended Colin Keane. Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: "We're all set for Saturday, I think we were hoping for a bit more rain than has actually fallen, but it is what it is and I'm sure it'll be nice ground on the day. "It's a top-class renewal, as you would expect for such a good race, but we're looking forward to partaking in it." Juddmonte's Bluestocking found only Goliath too strong in last year's King George before going on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the colours of the late Khalid Abdullah, who also claimed Ascot's midsummer highlight with Dancing Brave and superstar mare Enable, the latter on three occasions. Both of those equine greats also landed Europe's premier middle-distance contest, Enable doing so in successive years in 2017 and 2018, and a potential trip to Paris in early October has already been pencilled in for Kalpana ahead of what connections admit is a stern test this weekend. "Rebel's Romance is such a legend of a horse and Calandagan and Jan Brueghel are obviously very, very talented," Mahon added. "We think going back up to a mile and a half will suit our filly and Andrew said she worked well on Wednesday morning and he's very happy with her, so we're hopeful that her first two runs have set her up nicely for this." The top two in the market are Jan Brueghel and Calandagan, who renew rivalry after finishing first and second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in early June. While Calandagan has since broken his top-level duck in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Jan Brueghel has been kept fresh by Aidan O'Brien and is interestingly fitted with cheekpieces for the first time as he bids to provide his trainer with a fifth King George success. O'Brien, who also saddles the rank outsider and probable pacemaker Continuous, said: "Jan Brueghel is good, everything has gone well since the last day. "It will be an interesting race and the ground looks like it's going to be nice. "Continuous rolls along usually and he'll go forward, but if someone else wants to go on (and make the running), he'll be happy too." Francis Henri-Graffard's Calandagan has already shown his liking for Ascot, dominating his rivals in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting last summer before finishing a close second to Anmaat in October's Champion Stakes. Buoyed by his long-awaited first Group One success on home soil four weeks ago, connections are excited to be heading back to Berkshire. Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: "The horse is in very good form, he took his win at Saint-Cloud very well. I spoke with Mickael Barzalona who rode him in his last piece of work and he's very happy with him. "It's a small field, but he has to take on Jan Brueghel again and obviously Rebel's Romance was impressive last time out. "He doesn't have much ground to make up on Jan Brueghel and although they were calling the ground good to soft at Epsom, we felt it was riding softer that day. He handles softer ground so we can't use that as an excuse, but I just think maybe his acceleration is a a bit more decisive on firmer ground. "When it becomes a heavy-duty slugging match I'm not sure that's really his game, but when he can use his acceleration on good, fast ground I think that's when he's at his best." The small but select field is completed by Rebel's Romance, who has won seven Group Ones on foreign soil and bids to break his top-level duck at home following his course-and-distance success in last month's Hardwicke Stakes. Speaking on the Godolphin website, trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race (finished third), and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around. "He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race."
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I've got a huge 18-1 tip on King George day at Ascot… where we could soon be talking about a new master trainer
ONCE in France it was all about the master trainer Fabre. Now there's Graffard. On Saturday at Ascot Graffard has the chance to do something that Fabre hasn't yet done and land a second Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. 1 Back at his beloved Ascot can Calandagan get the better of Jan Brueghel in their epic rematch? Find out live on ITV1 at 4.10pm Credit: PA This is big. Francis-Henri Graffard, one of the most likeable handlers you could meet, saddles a horse in CALANDAGAN who might just have been much maligned in the mile-and-a-half summer showpiece. For much of his career Calandagan has been ridden as if he's a nutter. Held up miles off the pace. Given loads to do. Because he's been gelded, it's been easy to assume that he's got issues. However, on occasions, Calandagan has managed to win and looked a beast. It was at Royal Ascot last year that the strapping son of Gleneagles came from last - on the home bend - to first to grab the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. It was quite extraordinary, although not the strongest renewal with the benefit of hindsight. He went on to chase home Anmaat in the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes, also at Ascot and again given plenty of ground to make up. Most read in Horse Racing This season he was second (well held) in Meydan to Danon Decile and chased home Jan Brueghel when seemingly outbattled in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. Three runner-up spots got some wondering about Calandagan's attitude. But what's important is what happened on June 29 at Saint-Cloud. That day regular partner Mickael Barzalona rode Calandagan like a normal horse, settling in fourth but not that far off the gallop. Ultimately he would go on and hack up in that Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, suggesting he might not be quite the fruitcake some of us might have thought. Fabre has only won the King George once, and that was with the great Hurricane Run in 2006. Graffard, of course, took the big race with Goliath last year. If Calandagan scores he will become the first trainer to land consecutive renewals of the King George with a different horse since Sir Michael Stoute did so via Conduit and Harbinger in 2009/10. This is no one-horse race. But Calandagan only has three rivals and a pacemaker to beat. Taking on the Aga Khan's four-year-old are Jan Brueghel, Rebel's Romance and Kalpana. Aidan O'Brien's Jan Brueghel saw off Calandagan in the Coronation Cup, but as I've said under different tactics here I expect a change in result. That said, Jan Brueghel is crucial and has every chance. Also, he brings with him Continuous, who will set the gallop despite once being a Classic winner in the St Leger. Rebel's Romance is an absolute warrior for Godolphin. He's won nearly £11million in prize money and two Breeders' Cup Turf races along the way. However, he was only third last year and I suspect he will find one or two too good again. He would also like firm ground. Kalpana gets 3lb from her rivals, and she's pretty good for Andrew Balding, landing last season's Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at this course. However, she hasn't been good enough this term to defeat Whirl and Los Angeles and she will need more here to score. For many today the big betting race is the International Handicap over 7f. I'll chance OLIVER SHOW for the Billy Loughnane and George Boughey team. A mark of 98 is harsh enough for my hope, but he ran really well in the Lincoln at Doncaster off 95 before never getting involved after a slow start in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot. That 7f will have been short enough in any case for a horse who has raced up to 1m2f. With a normal start and getting back to the Lincoln form he would have an each-way chance. Finally at York all eyes are on the exciting ALMAQAM in the Sky Bet Group 2 York Stakes over an extended 1m2f. I'm all over Ed Walker's stable star here under the excellent Kieran Shoemark. This colt has always been held in high regard and saw off Ombudsman when last seen in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown. He can go from the front or come off the pace and stays strong. The going is also ideal. Everything is set for a massive run in a decent field. Only slight concern is he does give plenty of weight to the three-year-olds. But he really should win. What a Saturday. Racing fit for a King. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
