King George VI betting and odds

Ascot King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Sir Michael Stoute’s Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce returns to the course of his biggest flop to date for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this weekend, writes Mikey Mumford. The next leg of the Qipco British Champions’ Series sees a select field of five runner’s line-up for the 1m4f race. Despite, Workforce’s odds on defeat in this race last year, the support for the Khalid Abdulla owned four-year-old has refused to dry up and he currently heads the market. Godolphin are represented by both Debussy and Prince Of Wales’s hero Rewilding whilst the Aidan O’Brien challenge rests with the rejuvenated St Nicholas Abbey. Nathaniel completes the field for John Gosden after being implemented in midweek. Check out our betting preview for the 2012 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stakes, and make sure you get a free bet for this race.

Debussy has bits and pieces of form for John Gosden on turf and the polytrack but has yet to build on that form in the royal blue of Godolphin. After changing hands at the end of last year he was stone wall last in the Prince of Wales’s and is expected to play another bit part role here. Ahmed Ajtebi is likely to force the gallop and he should take them on a good early clip but hard to see him sustain it.

Earmarked as the most likely 2010 St Leger winner, Rewilding bounced right back to form following his classic disappointment last September by wearing down So You Think at Ascot latest. Frankie Dettori’s mount relishes the good ground and poses a serious threat here. He was well beaten by Workforce in the 2010 Derby but should be much better and wiser this time around.

He confirmed the promise of his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe win last year with a routine win at Sandown on his reappearance and Workforce looks all set to banish those 2010 King George memories this year. So You Think always looked like getting the better of him in the closing stages of the Coral Eclipse but Sir Michael Stoute’s colt lost nothing in defeat and can go one better here. He’s won at 1m4f and great chance of doing so again.

The nature of Nathaniel’s King Edward VII Stakes success saw John Gosden’s three-year-old colt supplemented for this race at a cost of £75,000 on Monday. The early market signals are positive too with the youngster in the field being trimmed into 13/2 from 9/1. However, he will have to reverse the placing’s with St Nicholas Abbey on the basis of their recent Chester form where the latter succeeded by a head. Not without a chance though, and can prove a tough nut to crack should he get conditions.

A real quality line-up for Britain’s second richest horse race and Rewilding is fairly solid at third-best in the market should he pick up from his Prince of Wales’s victory. Not entirely sure he will and ST NICHOLAS ABBEY and Workforce will be waiting in the wings but slight preference if for the former who can continue his rich streak of form. [Mikey Mumford]

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