Weekend Bulletin Flat: 24 July

We’re back at Ascot this weekend for Group 1 action with the King George, while Chester, York, Sandown, Newcastle and Salisbury put on competitive racing as we build up to Glorious Goodwood. Uttoxeter stages two valuable fixtures on their Sunday card.

Marten writes:

“We are going to be treated to one of the most prestigious fields in recent years for the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

At the time of writing the market is headed by last year’s winner Calandagan, who will be trying to give his trainer Francis Graffard a third consecutive victory in the race following the success two years ago of Goliath, who also makes the line-up.

Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg have embarked on the long trip over from Japan, with the former trying to reverse Japan Cup form with Calandagan, where he went down by just a head.

Aidan O’Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini, winner of the Irish Derby, has attracted the money in the last few days and he will be joined by stable-companions Minnie Hauk, Action and last year’s dual-Derby winner Lambourn.

Kalpana, beaten a length in last year’s race, completes this truly International field.

The support card is worthy of the great race, with a couple of Group 3 contests and a relatively short-priced favourite for the traditionally competitive 7f Class 2 handicap.

I already have news for elsewhere and expect to hear something for York.”