Ascot King George Betting Preview, Tips and Trends

One of the biggest races of the flat season, the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (or King George Stakes for short) is a 1m 4f Group 1 contest and is also part of the British Champions Series. The 2020 renewal of the Ascot King George will take place on the 25th July, with post time being 3:35pm. It will be shown live on both ITV and Sky Sports Racing.

The role of honor is star-studded, with the likes of Nathaniel, Taghrooda, Highland Reel and Enable being just a few of the recent scorers of note. The best renewal of the past few years has to be Enable’s success in 2019, as she and Crystal Ocean had a titanic tussle all the way to the line, with the Queen of the Turf coming out on top under a power-packed Frankie Dettori.

You can find everything you need to know about the Ascot King George below, from the thoughts and analysis of our experts, valuable stats and trends, free bets and our Ascot King George tip.

King George Runners and Riders

Enable 

Affectionately named the “Queen of the Turf”, John Gosden’s superstar mare is a ten-time Group 1 winner and dual winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, narrowly denied a third by Waldgeist last October. That was her first defeat since April 2017, winning twelve races in a row at the peak of her career.

She’s racing royalty and although defeated at Sandown on seasonal return, that was over ten furlongs and on the back of a 273-day absence. She would have needed that run and back at twelve furlongs, she’s the one to beat.

Japan

Very classy in his own right, a dual Group 1 winner who finished fourth in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind Waldgeist (and Enable). He once again was unable to get the better of the mare when third in the Eclipse at Sandown but much like Enable, he’ll be suited by a step back up to the twelve-furlong distance. A Group 2 winner at Ascot, he’s not one to take lightly, but he does need a career-best to be dethroning the Queen.

Anthony Van Dyck 

It’s not often that you will see a Derby winner being 11/1 for any race, such is the perhaps disappointing turn that Anthony Van Dyck’s career took from that Epsom success. That’s not to say he isn’t a top-class horse, as he’s placed at Group 1 level on three occasions since, latterly on seasonal return when second at Ghaiyyath at Newmarket.

He disappointed at Royal Ascot subsequently, however, when down the field in the Hardwicke Stakes. He’s capable of a big run on his day, but he’s been well-held on both his visits to Ascot, including last year’s King George, where he was beaten thirty-nine lengths by Enable.

Soverign 

The third of Aidan O’Brien’s string, Sovereign was well-held behind Anthony Van Dyck in the 2019 Derby before reversing terms with a dominant success in the Irish Derby later that month. He was absent for 364 days afterward, finishing third on seasonal return in the 1m 6f Vintage Crop at the Curragh.

That performance wasn’t without promise and he should be better suited by today’s distance. He’s the likely pace angle, and they won’t want to give him too much rope, as the Irish Derby runners lived to regret thirteen months ago.

King George Tip

Enable

It’s impossible to oppose Enable in this small-field King George, with John Gosden’s mare holding all of her opponents in some way or another on the form. She shaped well in defeat on her return from a lengthy absence at Sandown in the Eclipse over a distance that wouldn’t have played to her strengths. She’s now back up to twelve furlongs and arguably faces a weaker field than she did last time.

With race-fitness and an extra two furlongs, it’s difficult to see Japan overturning a head defeat from the Sandown feature.

King George Stats and Trends

• 10 of the last 12 winners were aged 3 or 4
• 10 of the last 12 winners were rated 118 or above
• 9 of the last 12 winners had won that season
• 9 of the last 12 winners had won a Group 1 previously
• 5 of the last 12 winners had at least one victory at Ascot

Given the circumstances surrounding the 2020 season, the stats and trends should be taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, there are no horses in the field that fit all five of the trends. Japan fits four of the trends, having not had a previous victory at Ascot.

Ascot Free Bets

Get a head start with your bets for Ascot and the ITV Racing by signing up to a bookmaker account and claiming a free bet. With Ascot hosting an epic nine-race card, free bets can come in handy, especially with firms competing against one another to offer the best deals. Check out our Free Bets page for more offers.