King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2010

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was first run in 1951. It was a race designed for the finest horses from different generations and from different countries to compete over one and a half miles at Ascot. The winner would be recognized as a true champion. Workforce pictured winning the Epsom Derby will be the first Epsom Derby winner for seven years to contest this race. Workforce is the chosen mount of Ryan Moore.  He could have ridden Harbinger who like Workforce is trained by Sir Michael Stoute.  The Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco comes over from Aidan O’Brien’s stable in Ireland.

This years race is sponsored by Betfair and is worth £1,000,000. Ascot racecourse must be thrilled that the race has been supported by nearly all the top middle distance horses. Fame and Glory is the only one missing. Premier enclosure tickets have been sold out for a while which shows the public will flock to see the best horses taking each other on.

Workforce is owned by Khalid Abdulla whose previous winner of the race was the great Dancing Brave back in 1986. It looks as though the same owners Confront will be there to ensure a good gallop. Workforces triumph in the Epsom Derby on only his third racecourse appearance was reminiscent of Generous in 1991 who then went on to win the King George by a record seven lengths. Workforce could be every bit as good as Generous. Harbinger will make a race of it having won over course and distance at Royal Ascot.  Cape Blanco beat Workforce in the Dante at York but it was a different Workforce we saw in the Epsom Derby.  There is rarely a long price winner of this race, the longest in recent years being Swain who sprung a surprise at 16/1 on rain softened going back in 1997.  He proved it was no fluke by winning the race again the next year at 11/2.  Dar Re Mi has shown she needs one and a half miles and might benefit from the expected strong gallop.  If there is a full field of eight runners she might just be the each way value, otherwise it looks like a Sir Michael Stoute 1-2.

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