The most prestigious open-age flat race of the season is set for this Saturday, as the ITV cameras broadcast the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
We have gone through all televised races from Ascot and York on Saturday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
ITV’s coverage kicks off with the Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe Handicap over a rapid five furlongs.
Bayraat is of serious interest back in this race after finishing a close third 12 months ago off the same weight (also finished third in 2024 off 2lb higher). The ten-year-old for trainer Tom Tate has run with credit on his last three starts, including landing a victory at Wetherby over an extended five furlongs in June.
Lost little in defeat in a handicap at Doncaster last time, finishing within a length of the winner. Likely to go well on his return to York.
ITV’s first race from Ascot on Saturday is the Group Three Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes. Glorious Game could be an overpriced selection for the combination of Colin Keane and Hugo Palmer.
The two-year-old by Pinatubo is unbeaten in two starts under rules, deadheating with Havana Sprite at Newmarket in the Empress Fillies’ Stakes last month.
She did all of her best work late in the day on that day at HQ, and that looked like an above-average juvenile race. His sire won the Group Two Vintage and Chesham Stakes as a juvenile, indicating that further progress during the summer is likely.
A competitive renewal of the SkyBet Dash is next up from York, and it could pay to side with an each-way angle.
Yes I’m Mali has been luckless in his last two starts, finishing within a length of the winners on back-to-back starts at Newmarket. A return to York could see him take advantage of his mark, with the four-year-old having finished second in a big-fielded handicap over course and distance in May.
Is a previous winner over the six furlongs at York, and is an eye-catching contender for the respected David O’Meara yard.
The next race from Ascot is the Group Three Valiant Stakes for fillies and mares aged three and older.
Three-year-old’s have won two of the last four editions of the race. Therefore, the preference is for Touleen, who’s challenge has been made slightly easier with Secret Of Life not declared.
She made an excellent impression at Royal Ascot last month when beaten just over a length by Precise in the Group One Coronation Stakes, and she also shaped with promise when sixth in the Group One 1,000 Guineas. The one to beat.
Last year’s winner of the Group Two York Stakes will be a leading contender, but Royal Champion could be vulnerable against younger and improving rivals on Saturday.
No three-year-old has won the race since Best Alibi in 2006, meaning Item could be vulnerable. Therefore, a chance is taken on Pride Of Arras to put his comeback effort in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud behind him.
The four-year-old has won on both starts at the track, including a victory over course and distance when stylishly beating Damysus on quick ground in the Group Two Dante.
Won the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last August, and was far from disgraced overseas when fourth behind Royal Champion in the Group Two Bahrain International Trophy. The Beckett yard is in red-hot form, and Rossa Ryan is aboard.
A competitive handicap over seven furlongs is next up from Ascot, with a big field set to go to post for the International Handicap.
The trends indicate looking for a horse with previous experience at Ascot, with all of the last 12 winners having made at least one start at the track, and those that are carrying 9-2 or less that didn’t win last time out.
Therefore, Back In Black ticks plenty of the right boxes. The four-year-old was beaten under a length on his only start at the track in July 2024, and has been an unlucky loser on his last two starts at Newcastle and Newmarket.
Most recently, he was narrowly touched off by Aalto at HQ in the Bunbury Cup after edging left in the closing stages. The James Fanshawe yard is in excellent recent form (striking at 33%), and Daniel Muscutt is booked aboard.
The big race of the day comes from Ascot, with the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes being the joint-richest race on the flat calendar.
Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini and Japanese raider Masquerade Ball add intrigue, but Francis Graffard’s Calandagan looks like the standout pick to win the race for the second straight year.
The five-year-old holds the highest official rating in this field, and he oozed class when bouncing back to form in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud earlier this month.
Easy to overlook his effort in the Group One Coronation Cup, as the soft ground didn’t play to his strengths. Is a regular scorer at the highest level, having won the Group One Champions Stakes at the end of last season among three wins from four starts at Ascot.
The one to beat, and he holds form advantages over many of his re-opposing rivals.
