AS an Arsenal fan, Frankie Dettori is not used to footballing celebrations, but expect the kind of chanting Tottenham fans often enjoy at White Hart Lane should Enable blitz her rivals at Ascot today.
John Gosden’s mare returns in a sizzling renewal of the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, live on ITV.
Incredibly, Enable, the dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine, is not officially the most talented horse in the race.
That title goes to current best horse on the planet and Prince of Wales’s Stakes hero Crystal Ocean, currently with a mark of 127 compared to Enable’s 125.
However, those that saw the latter spit out the former at Kempton last term would spit their cornflakes out at the thought of Crystal Ocean being superior. Ratings are a funny old thing.
Enable and Crystal Ocean head the eleven-runner line-up. But there’s much more to this King George than just the main players.
The mid-summer highlight has often been graced by a clash of generations. Class three-year-olds like Shergar, Dancing Brave, Reference Point, Nashwan, Generous, Galileo, Alamshar and Nathaniel all scored since the 1980s, while older victors number stars like Time Charter, Swain, Montjeu, Azamour and Hurricane Run.
The Classic generation is once again represented, with the Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck getting 11lb from Crystal Ocean. With cheek pieces on first time he could well get in the mix.
Then there is Defoe, who was gelded at the start if the campaign and after a couple of dodgy efforts for Roger Varian has not looked back, scoring at Epsom in the Coronation Cup and the Hardwicke at the Royal fixture.
Andre Fabre’s French challenger Waldgeist is talented but seemingly better at home than abroad, while the 2017 Japan Cup victor Cheval Grand will enjoy quick conditions.
Dettori really does hold the key.
The Italian is unbeaten in ten rides on Enable, but also has an excellent record on Crystal Ocean, having been on board his main rival at Ascot last time.
It’s not just Enable that Dettori has beaten Crystal Ocean with either, as he destroyed Sir Michael Stoute’s big gun when on board Cracksman in the 2018 Qipco Champion Stakes.
Hottest in Horse Racing
My feeling is that a peak form Enable has more speed than Crystal Ocean and more stamina as well, so if both bring their A-game I can’t imagine the mare not coming out on top.
I expect Enable to score.
But as far as betting is concerned I’ll have a few quid each-way on Anthony Van Dyck for Aidan O’Brien.
A National Stakes runner-up and Dewhurst third as a juvenile, Anthony Van Dyck has always had class and came into his own stepped up in trip this term, landing the Lingfield Derby trial before the main event at Epsom.
After that Classic success he went to the Curragh for a shambles of a renewal of the Irish Derby, and was never placed to challenger the ridiculous winner Sovereign, who got an easy time of things up front. Getting the weight Anthony Van Dyk might be a joker in the pack.
I would hazard a guess that Waldgeist annoys Andre Fabre.
The son of Galileo has on the odd occasion suggested he has brilliance, including when slamming the disappointing Study Of Man in the Ganay. But then Waldgeist never got involved in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and previously was beaten in a Cumberland Lodge at 4-7.
He’s talented, but hard to predict. Fast ground might not be ideal either.
A furious pace looks assured, with likely leader Hunting Horn cheek-pieced and Norway capable of pushing the gallop as well.
That will suit Japanese raider Cheval Grand. He had excuses in the 2016 Japan Cup when his trainer felt the preparation was rushed and the entire was drawn 17/17.
Fresh from 48-day absence a year later, and with Hugh Bowman taking over in the saddle, he came home strongly to surge to the front deep inside the final furlong. It gave his handler Yasuo Tomomichi his first win in the race.
Do not totally ignore the old boy, although his form with Old Persian in Meydan suggests he has something to find.
All in all this is a terrific clash and a race not to be missed. Enable has not been at her brilliant best in three runs now. But she has had excuses and without doubt is the horse to beat. Can Anthony Van Dyck make use of his allowance? Find out later today!
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/matt-chapman-looks-ahead-to-a-thrilling-king-george-with-frankie-dettori-and-enable-the-hot-favourites/
News Photo Matt Chapman looks ahead to a thrilling King George with Frankie Dettori and Enable the hot favourites
Advertising
You don’t have to pack away your dress just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!
Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NINTCHDBPICT000347743150-e1564170216751.jpg?strip=all&w=960
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий