King George day has arrived and a modest turn out of eight remain for the Group One event. I should have known better than to try to second guess the master of Ballydoyle. Of course, all racing fans are willing St Nicholas Abbey to pull through but it was disappointing that O’Brien promptly withdrew Ernest Hemingway without any word of explanation. Perhaps he was left in as a pacemaker? Who knows.
Most pundits are following the simple logic that Cirrus des Aigles has at least 10lbs in hand on official ratings and should therefore win. I suppose that is fair enough but he was well beaten in fifth on the only recent evidence we have and is now seven years old. The much maligned three-year-olds are represented by Trading Leather and Hillstar and 5-1 could look quite generous for the former if the favourite fails to fire.
The combination of Bolger and Manning team up with Chroussa in the first and this filly was just collared by Tapestry last time. I doubt that she is being sent over purely to keep Trading Leather company and looks worth an each-way bet at around 10-1. Ascot form is proving a bit in and out so there is no great value in Wind Fire at 2-1.
I am a big fan of Cape Peron but I do think he is being asked some difficult questions. He had a poor draw at Royal Ascot and Candy was reluctant to risk him on the firm ground. He is now lumbered with top weight and another big field to overcome so 4-1 or thereabout seems a bit miserly. Most of these have had plenty of racing but Yeager could be over-priced at 20-1 on Betfair. I notice that William Hill are only offering 10’s.
Earlier in the week we had a stab at the International with Prince Of Johanne and the gallant grey is at least declared to run. I must admit that I am a little worried that this seven furlongs will be on the sharp side. I am going to throw in a real outsider here in Ducal. He got knocked sideways coming out of the stalls at Haydock last time and then got hampered again when following Ashaadd through with his run. In the circumstances fourth was a fair effort and he is any price.
Chroussa 10-1 William Hill
Yeager 20-1 Betfair
Trading Leather 5-1 William Hill
Ducal 47-1 Betfair
