King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: big-race guide and tip

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 150-1.

Won the Belmont Derby in 2021 after suffering a heavy defeat, when sent off at 11-8, in the Derby at Epsom but failed to land a blow at the highest level afterwards.

Ran only once in 2022 before enduring another lengthy absence, and returned to action at Navan in April where he looked in need of the outing.

Has gone close on his two starts since - at Listed and Group Three level - but that form falls short of what others have achieved this year.

His best form has also been on top of the ground, so conditions are a big concern. (HA)

Trainer: James Ferguson. Best odds: 28-1.

Improving four-year-old who was beaten in a handicap off a rating of 89 at Royal Ascot in 2022 before progressing to win the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes.

James Ferguson's charge shaped better than the result suggests in the Melbourne Cup, his first start at Group One level, last year where he faded into fourth having raced keenly, and didn't quite get home in the conditions.

Shaped well on his return to action when fourth behind Pyledriver in the Hardwicke Stakes, which will have blown any cobwebs away, and should have more to offer this season with just nine runs under his belt.

Oisin Murphy is also a positive jockey booking, although soft ground will be a negative for his mount who has plenty to find on ratings. (HA)

Trainer: William Haggas. Best odds: 100-1.

Trainer: Owen Burrows. Best odds: 4-1.

Group One winner who produced a career best to floor Pyledriver in last year's Coronation Cup, a performance that suggested he was of the highest calibre.

He was probably slightly flattered there as Pyledriver appeared to run below par, and another leading fancy failed to handle Epsom's undulations. The race was also run at a steady tempo before the pace quickened.

Owen Burrows' stable star was unlikely to race again afterwards due to suffering an injury, but returned to defeat Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard on his return to action, a race he will no doubt strip fitter from.

The six-year-old is now one of the highest rated contenders in the field, and his form on soft ground reads 131. One for the shortlist. (HA)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 16-1.

He perhaps doesn't boast the most glamorous profile or reputation but there's little to dislike about this rock-solid colt, now a three-time Group One winner and top-level scorer aged two, three and four plus one who is only 1lb inferior to stablemate Auguste Rodin on official ratings.

His latest success was in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and he has a notably good record at the Curragh (sole defeat on his return in a falsely-run Mooresbridge Stakes in May) and it's feasible he could utilise the trusty front-running tactics here that have served him so well at Irish Flat headquarters.

On balance, it seems more likely that he will be ridden with a bit more restraint now though as he steps up to 12 furlongs for just the second time. His sole outing over the distance was in the Arc last year, where he shaped quite well after going off at short odds and he did stick on to the line after being impeded late, despite finishing lame.

Ryan Moore has ridden the Camelot colt on most starts and the top rider's likely absence to partner Auguste Rodin is a negative, but Luxembourg fully warrants his place here and, although this is his stiffest test to date - and by a fair margin - he could be a litle underestimated. (HA)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 100-1.

Won his first two starts of the season in workmanlike fashion and held every chance in the Coronation Cup when soundly put in his place by Emily Upjohn.

Having given the initial impression that stepping up to 12 furlongs would eke out more improvement, that idea failed to bear fruit based on his Epsom run. A winner on heavy ground, he would certainly have no issues if more rain was to fall but he is tough to advise. (DA)

Trainer: William Muir and Chris Grassick. Best odds: 7-1.

Defending champion who impressed when powering clear 12 months ago and he showed he is in fine heart when a game winner of the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, bringing his course figures to 1711.

This is undoubtedly a much deeper renewal, but it was a fine training performance to get him primed to score on his return and he cannot be discounted given his affinity for the track. He took a very keen hold last time out yet still had stamina in abundance to score, while he might just be helped by the hurly-burly of a bigger field than usual for this race.

All of his best form has come on a sounder surface, although he does boast one win on soft ground at Haydock to his name. (DA)

Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Best odds: 20-1.

Enigmatic character who captured the Irish Derby last term before blotting his copybook when pulling his chance away in last year’s King George.

He perhaps remained immature throughout the season and looked a different proposition when a good second to Equinox on his return in the Sheema Classic. Despite defeat to Emily Upjohn in the Coronation Cup, he looked to really come of age when landing the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Ridden prominently there, he is another who would perhaps enjoy a good pace up front given he does possess a potent turn of foot.

That sub-par effort at Ascot last term has to be a slight concern, but he looks a stronger and more mature horse this year, so he is not discounted. (DA)

Trainer: John and Thady Gosden. Best odds: 5-1.

Like Westover, she disappointed in this race 12 months ago when a well-beaten last of six and, having pulled hard early, connections were at a loss as to why she had blotted her copybook.

She has highlighted her class in her three subsequent starts, though, with her Coronation Cup triumph on her penultimate run highlighting her ability to quicken off a steady pace and that could prove an important factor on Saturday. Her win on QIPCO British Champions Day came on rain-softened ground, but she is another who would not like the ground too testing.

She lost nothing in defeat dropped back down to 10 furlongs when giving 7lb to Paddington in the Coral-Eclipse last time and team Gosden have won this race five times in the past 11 years. (DA)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Best odds: 7-2.

The son of Deep Impact has bounced back from 2000 Guineas disappointment with victories in the English and Irish Derbies, and he has to be deeply respected for Aidan O'Brien as the Ballydoyle maestro seeks a fourth win in the race.

His Irish Derby victory lacked the sparkle of some of his other performances, but Ryan Moore’s comments post-race suggest that the three-year-old merely did what he had to do in workmanlike style, and connections remain adamant that he will continue to dazzle for the rest of the season.

He looks versatile tactically and his Vertem Futurity win at Doncaster showed he can handle soft ground, despite his difficulties at Newmarket on his seasonal return. Adayar (2021) and Galileo (2001) are the only horses this century to complete the Epsom Derby-King George double, but with O’Brien possibly running all five of his remaining entries in the contest, this could turn into a real test of stamina, something which Auguste Rodin looks to have in abundance. In receipt of weight from all of his main market rivals, bar King Of Steel, he has to be towards the top of the shortlist. (DA)

Trainer: Roger Varian. Best odds: 4-1.

The “big horse” took a big step forward to fill the runner-up spot - beaten just half a length - in the Derby at Epsom behind Auguste Rodin and I think it was a sign of how talented he is that he managed to back up that career best with a commanding success in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Given his size and scope there is always the niggling worry of him being extremely hard to keep sound, but he was magnificent at Royal Ascot and travelled all over his rivals to put the race to bed in a matter of strides. He now needs to back that up reverting to Group One company, though Roger Varian must be commended for his handling of the horse so far.

A winner on soft ground on his debut, King Of Steel he did glide across a sounder surface at Ascot and Varian has been quick to quell concerns regarding his aptitude with wetter conditions underfoot. In receipt of weight from his rivals and clearly in a rich vein of form, he looks a joy to ride and will certainly be in there pitching at the business end of things. (DA)

It is hard to rule most of these out in a field stacked with quality.

While clearly fragile, Hukum possesses an ability to quicken off a steady pace - which could be crucial here - and more rain would not hamper his chances. It was a fantastic training performance to get him primed for his return at Sandown and, coming into this race fresh off a small break, he edges the vote in a humdinger of a renewal.

King Of Steel and Pyledriver are both strongly feared, though the ground might perhaps be a little on the slow side for both, with the same applicable to Emily Upjohn after she displayed such a dazzling turn of foot in the Coronation Cup. The make-up of this field could also suit Westover, who will be able to get cover early before unleashing a run, and he is respected at a bigger price along with crack Group One performer Luxembourg.

The latter’s stable companion Auguste Rodin is deeply respected, but the dual Derby winner clearly prefers top of the ground despite his soft-ground win at Doncaster last term. (DA)

Predicted finishing order:

What a race this is going to be!

Pyledriver is officially the highest-rated contender in the field and is probably the one who should be a few points shorter based upon the manner of his victory in last year's race. He warmed up for this contest with an easy win in the Hardwicke Stakes, and connections are adamant he is going to improve plenty from that outing.

However, narrow preference is for HUKUM who has his ideal conditions here, and showed he retains all of his ability when defeating Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard on his belated return to action.

Owen Burrows' charge produced one of his career-best efforts over this course and distance on soft ground and he's six from seven following an absence of 50 days or more, so a 65-day break since his latest outing is a positive.

Although his rivals were not at his best, his performance in last year's Coronation Cup, when defeating Pyledriver, showed what he is capable of at this level.

Auguste Rodin was workmanlike when winning the Irish Derby last time out, but he wasn't doing much in front and, provided he handles these conditions, he will be in the mix, especially receiving weight from his older rivals.

At bigger odds, it would be no surprise if Luxembourg is involved in the finish on just his second start over this trip. Aidan O'Brien's charge has some strong form next to his name plus is proven on soft ground.

Predicted finishing order: