Calandagan has Extremely good chance of going back-to-back
ASCOT’s feature race on Saturday is the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35pm), where a star-studded field of nine head to post for Britain’s most prestigious all-age Flat race.
Last year’s winner, CALANDAGAN, is back to defend his crown.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s five-year-old was winning the second of five consecutive Group Ones in this contest 12 months ago, keeping on well from the re-opposing Kalpana.
Three further successes at the top level followed, before he struggled on slow ground in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June of this year.
He made amends for that in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud a month later and now faces a defence of his crown and a rematch with Japanese star Masquerade Ball, who he just edged out in the Japan Cup last November.
Takahisa Tezuka’s colt reappeared in 2026 with another excellent second behind Hong Kong superstar, Romantic Warrior, in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin, and could benefit from this step up in trip.
However, under perfect conditions and with Ascot form already in the bag, it’s hard to see past Calandagan and he’s the one I’ll side with in the Win market with World Pool.
With World Pool in operation on all eight races at Ascot, there’s the chance of some excellent value if dipping our toes into the exotic markets.
In the earlier International Handicap (2.55pm), EXTREMELY ZAIN looks to be heading to Group races and this competitive contest offers him an excellent opportunity to win a nice prize along the way.
William Haggas’ well-bred three-year-old is unbeaten after three races.
He made a successful handicap debut when overcoming traffic problems to easily land a big field seven-furlong contest at York last month, which was another step forward from his previous form.
He could be extremely tough to beat, but rather than back him outright, there could be value to be had if we can find something to chase him home and land a World Pool Quinella (first two in any order).
AKKADIAN THUNDER has good Ascot form and has become well handicapped.
He was much higher in the weights when down the field in this race 12 months ago and he had earlier gone close over this course and distance when runner-up in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.
Although he only finished fifth over 1400m at Doncaster last week, he was repeatedly short of room in the closing stages and he looks to be running into form.
I’ll add him to my Quinella along with the admirably consistent BACK IN BLACK.
He has finished in the first four in seven of his last eight races, including second behind Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket two weeks ago.
That was another fine effort and it’s hard to see why he wouldn’t run another good race and be thereabouts again.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Extremely Zain, Akkadian Thunder, Back In Black (Quinella) 2.55pm Ascot
Caladagan (Win) 3.35pm Ascot