The Weekends Racing – By The Sportsman Racing

Nathaniel holds obvious claims, illustrated when winning the Eclipse at Sandown in impressive style. John Gosden’s charge was not fully wound up for the race but showed a fine burst of acceleration to hold off Farhh. This 1m 4f trip will suit better and he must go close as long as his exertions in winning the Eclipse only two weeks ago haven’t taken their toll. Having won the race last season he holds every chance of becoming only the third horse in history to win two King Georges. Sea Moon is my selection to give Sir Michael Stoute his third King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory in four years at odds of 11-4. Like the 2010 runaway winner Harbinger, Sea Moon enters the race on the back of a resounding success in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. His form figures are impressive with five wins from seven races and both those defeats came on unfavourably fast ground in top level company. Sea Moon is the only one of the top three in the betting to be making the step up from Group 2 company but he looks a Group 1 winner in waiting judged on his Hardwicke success. Impressive winner at Royal Ascot last month there can be no worries regarding the track. Dunaden was thought by many observers to have been unlucky in the Hardwicke against Sea Moon having experienced trouble in running but I thought Sea Moon had the race bagged a long way from home. I would be surprised if Dunaden can reverse the form. He certainly has place prospects having only once finished out of the frame in his last 15 runs. Danedream became the second German trainer winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and is a worthy contender. Tough and genuine, soft ground would not be an inconvenience. The worry is recent form where she was last of four at Saint Cloud. Factor in the unknown quantity of the Ascot track and it will be tough for her despite being Timeform top-rated. Of the rest, Japanese Derby winner, Deep Brillante is available at 20-1 though he would need to step up again in form to win this while Reliable Man looks to have place prospects at best. Key Stats from last ten renewals 10/10 – Won a Group 1 or 2 before 10/10 – Aged either 3 or 4 years old 10/10 – Top four in betting won race 10/10 – Winners 13-2 or less 9/10 – Winner was Irish Bred On the supporting card at Ascot the William Haggas-trained Sun Central is worth backing in the class 4 handicap at 5.10. Sun Central showed promise in his first two runs before landing a Class 4 maiden hard on the steel at Chester last month. This lengthy half-brother to George Washington is considered a great prospect by Haggas and looks capable of going on to better things.]]>