The Full Story Behind King George Vi And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1)

The opening

The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes has assembled a fascinating blend of proven Group 1 performers, but Kalpana gets the nod as the horse with the strongest all-round profile. Andrew Balding's mare has developed into one of Europe's most reliable middle-distance performers and already boasts excellent Ascot credentials, finishing a gallant second in last month's Hardwicke Stakes before capturing the British Champions Fillies & Mares crown over this course and distance. The return to Ascot, combined with her valuable 3lb fillies' allowance, makes her exceptionally well treated against the older colts. With Colin Keane in the saddle and a proven ability to produce her best in elite company, she looks primed to deliver a career-best performance.

The case

Goliath commands enormous respect as last year's King George hero and remains one of the toughest international stayers in training. Christophe Soumillon knows exactly how to time his challenge on the powerful son of Adlerflug, whose relentless finishing effort is ideally suited to Ascot's demanding straight. His recent third in the Hardwicke Stakes should have brought him perfectly to concert pitch for this assignment, while trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has targeted this race all season. If the pace is strong, few horses in Europe possess a more potent finishing kick, making him the principal danger to the selection.

French challenger Calandagan has perhaps the highest ceiling in the field despite a disappointing Coronation Cup effort at Epsom, where nothing went to plan after missing the break and never travelling with his usual fluency. Prior to that defeat he had built an outstanding record against top-class opposition, and Graffard has always maintained that Ascot's galloping nature would play far more to his strengths than the undulations of Epsom. Completing the quartet is Benvenuto Cellini, whose Irish Derby victory announced him as one of the leading three-year-olds in Europe. Ryan Moore extracted a superb performance at the Curragh and, receiving the generous weight-for-age allowance, the progressive colt has the class and untapped improvement to trouble the older horses if continuing his rapid development.

The verdict

This looks set to develop into a truly run championship contest where class, stamina and tactical patience will be decisive. Kalpana appeals as the most solid proposition thanks to her outstanding Ascot record, consistency at Group 1 level and the valuable mares' allowance. Goliath rates the biggest threat if the race becomes a searching test, while Calandagan is capable of bouncing back to his brilliant French form on a more suitable track. Benvenuto Cellini completes the shortlist as the progressive three-year-old who could easily bridge the generation gap, making him a fascinating value contender in one of the races of the season.