It is officially King George day at Ascot, or as it is being called this year, Jan Brueghel vs Calandagan day, a battle for the ages, who will come out on top? France or Ireland. With the race only hours away, here are my final thoughts, and a short verdict on what we can expect from the race.
Jan Brueghel Vs Calandagan
This years King George is setting up to be a massive Epsom rematch between Francis Graffard's Prix de Saint Cloud winner Calandagan who just lost out to Aiden O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel at Epsom, and with the two set to clash again, although Calandagan heads out favourite, Jan Brueghel is still catching eyes. Calandagan who has shown he is a top horse in high level races is easily the speediest horse among the field, and had he managed to keep up with the staying power of Jan Brueghel, he could hose the field. But, like we see often with O’Brien horses, there is always a pacemaker, this year it's Continuous. Wayne Lordan looks prized to set the pace for Ryan Moore and Jan Brueghel, adding an interesting, but classic turn into the mix for Mickael Barzalona and Calandagan, and it seems Barzalona’s main concern will be staying close by the two Ballydole horses.
It was clear at Epsom Cl;andagan did not enjoy the challenging track, and will use his strong turn of foot at Ascot to highlight how it was a blunder in the Coronation Cup against Jan Brueghel at the Royal meeting, and rock solid form may be enough to reverse the form over Ryan Moore and Jan Brueghel. Then again, ruling out the unbeaten four year old isn't 100% as engine and love for stamina tests may mean problems for Calandagan. However, it is Continuous under Wayne Lordan who may be the deciding factor for Ballydoyle, and the main takeaway today is whether Mickael Barzalona can hold a solid position, because if the Ballydoyle duo slip away, the run in may be too much once again for Calandagan.
The World Beating Legend, Rebel’s Romance
A race like the King George is no stranger for Rebels Romance, a six time group one winning globetrotter knows what it takes to win a race of this calibre, but will he have enough under Godolphin’s number one William Buick? The 7 year old gelding who has travelled the world is back after a win in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting, and now matches up against some of the best in the game as the most veteran of the field. For a horse who loves Ascot, he is sure to challenge, and class and maturity is something you can never write off in a legendary horse like he is. With solid form and full fitness, Rebel’s Romance will be a player, but will his class simply be beaten by talent? On paper, he is right behind the two leaders, but winning mentality, and class over the course and distance may be a playing factor.
Juddmonte’s Cool, Calm, and Collected Filly
And finally Oisin Murphy fills in for Colin Keane aboard Juddmonte and Andrew Balding’s extremely classy 4 year old filly Kalpana, a horse who seems way off the mark, but may surprise most. With a group one win at Ascot under her saddle last year, and rapid progression over the last 12 months as part of Juddmonte’s exciting group of fillies, Kalpana is sure to travel well, and her acceleration over the last couple of furlongs will surprise most, and she may give some of the better horses a run for their money. She is a very composed horse, and deals with pressure filled races extremely well, and among everything, she is a solid battler. Picking up the trip an extra furlong means the Balding team believe her group one win was enough to potentially have a crack at the race, and with that speedy acceleration and class, she is one of the more underrated horses in the field. The ground may be a slight concern, and the jockey change is a total mystery, but if Oisin Murphy can handle the task, and perfect the ride aboard Kalpana, the race may not be completely out of her hands, but it is a big step up for her regardless.
Overall the race looks like a cracker, and will have fans on their feet, and could even tee up to be a nail biter for punters. Calandagan tops the market, but Jan Brueghel is backed heavily. Kalpana could shock the field, but big steps are needed. And Rebel’s Romance will look to school the field with another group one win as the classiest horse, and the most composed, and cool horse in the field. It is lining up to be a corker.
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