King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2009

The 3 day Ascot “King George” Meeting gets underway tomorrow (Friday 24th) with the centre piece of the meeting being the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which will be run on Saturday. This race was first run in 1951 and was designed for the finest horses from different generations and different countries to compete over one and a half miles. The winner would be recognized as a true champion. There are no overseas visitors this year but we do have some three year olds to take on the older horses. Disappointingly the top three year olds, Sea the Stars, Rip Van Winkle, Fame and Glory and Sariska are all being primed for races elsewhere. It is a shame for Ascot and its new sponsors Betfair that the race is not better patronized especially as it is worth £1,000,000.00. I guess the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe run on the first Sunday in October at Longchamp will always be the number one champion race.
Sir Michael Stoute appears to hold the best hand of cards with his three runners, Conduit, who stable jockey Ryan Moore has chosen to ride, Tartan Bearer, to be ridden by Michael Kinane and Ask, to be ridden by Olivier Peslier.
There is bound to be a strong pace which will suit those who can stay beyond the one and a half miles. Conduit (pictured) and Ask come into this category. Conduit will be running over the distance for the first time this season and looks the one they all have to beat. The 12/1 on offer with Skybet for Sir Michael Stoute to train the first three home looks appealing.

The International Heritage Handicap worth £150,000.00 will be run over 7 furlongs before the King George. Captain Brilliance will be looking to recover losses for his narrow defeat in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket.

For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".