Picture: Westover (Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images))
Westover: Irish Derby winner is the market leader for the King George at Ascot.
By Liam Headd (Racing Post)
The mouthwatering clash between Irish Derby winner Westover and Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn is on after the pair were among the confirmed runners for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.35) at Ascot on Saturday.
All six runners confirmed on Monday will line up in the Group 1 contest with last year’s runner-up Mishriff, Arc hero Torquator Tasso, Broome and Pyledriver also taking their chance.
Despite a small field, the quality is clear and it is the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover who leads the market at 11-8.
The son of Frankel will once again be partnered by Colin Keane after the pair won by seven lengths in the Irish Derby at the Curragh last month.
His main market rival is Emily Upjohn, whose unbeaten record came to an end when she was beaten a short head by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Tuesday at Epsom.
Frankie Dettori, who steered the three-year-old filly that day, will once again partner her at Ascot.
John and Thady Gosden will also be represented by Mishriff, who will be ridden by James Doyle after owner Prince Faisal and rider David Egan’s partnership came to an end.
The five-year-old was beaten a neck by Vadeni in the Coral-Eclipse on his last start.
Last year’s shock Arc winner Torquator Tasso will again look to defy the odds, while course-and-distance Royal Ascot winner Broome is Aidan O’Brien’s only runner.
Claymore heads a field of five for the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15) on Saturday.
The Jane Chapple-Hyam three-year-old is an 11-8 shot with William Hill and the son of New Bay will attempt to follow up his Hampton Court success at Royal Ascot.
William Haggas has entered last year’s Qipco Champion Stakes runner-up Dubai Honour, who will be making his first start in Britain since October.
The Mohamed Obaida-owned four-year-old has, however, featured on two other occasions since then. He finished fourth in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in December before running home 10th in the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.
Dubai Future will represent Saeed bin Suroor and the son of Dubawi comes into the 1m2½f having won over the same distance in the Wolferton at the royal meeting.
2020 Royal Hunt winner Sir Busker and Dark Moon Rising complete the field of five.
King George confirmed runners and riders
Broome Ryan Moore
Mishriff James Doyle
Pyledriver PJ McDonald
Torquator Tasso Rene Piechulek
Westover Colin Keane
Emily Upjohn Frankie Dettori
York Stakes confirmed runners and riders
Claymore David Egan
Dubai Honour Stevie Donohoe
Dubai Future Adam Kirby
Sir Busker Ben Curtis
Dark Moon Rising Kevin Stott
Pedigree punting: King George verdict and 1-2-3 prediction
1 Westover
2 Torquator Tasso
3 Emily Upjohn
A race that could end up being pretty tactical, although Broome might well attempt to lead from the off. Admirable campaigner though he is, the Ballydoyle runner could set it up nicely for Westover, Torquator Tasso and Emily Upjohn, with preference for the first-named over last year’s Arc winner.
Emily Upjohn has to be respected given her profile and weight allowance, although this is her first test against colts and older horses. Westover is also coming up against older horses for the first time but strikes as streetwise enough for this test.
Kitty Trice, Racing Post bloodstock reporter
This content was first published in Kitty Trice’s Pedigree Punting column in Wednesday’s Racing Post Weekender. Read more from Kitty and star Weekender contributors such as leading tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy and exclusive columnist Ed Walker every week.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Ascot, 3.35 Saturday)
SkyBet: 5-4 Westover, 9-4 Emily Upjohn, 10-3 Mishriff, 12 Pyledriver, 20 Torquator Tasso, Broome
Sky Bet York Stakes (York, 3.15 Saturday)
William Hill: 11-8 Claymore, 5-2 Dubai Honour, 7-2 Dubai Future, 10-1 Sir Busker, 14 Dark Moon Rising
