2010 KING GEORGE STAKES LATEST ODDS AND SELECTIONS

We’re down to a mere eight runners for this massive Group 1 clash at Ascot this Saturday and the Epsom Derby winner Workforce (King’s Best) has been holding court as the odds-on favourite with most major bookmakers for nearly two weeks. Sir Michael Stoute’s bay colt is creeping up a tiny bit with some bookmakers now listing him at an even money price.

I think with fewer runners in the race it plays to Workforce’s favour as it will be less traffic to navigate as he attempts to pick up the pace 3f from the wire. I don’t see a tremendous amount of early speed here but Workforce’s stablemate Harbinger (Dansili) also has a similar type of running style that might make things very interesting. I expect the Sir Michael Stoute forecast could be a very popular selection.
One thing that Workforce doesn’t have is a victory over the Ascot surface and that’s likely one of the reasons why Harbinger is enjoying his 9/4 price tag. He captured the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes when sent off as the 8/11 favourite with preferred pilot Ryan Moore aboard for the trip. This multiple Group winner has never scored or even run at Group 1 level though so I get the feeling that he will need a step up to take the score here.
Cape Blanco (Galileo) has the distinction of having beaten Workforce before, that was in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York back in mid-May. The AP O’Brien colt captured the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh in late June and I hope that Cape Blanco is fresh enough to do some damage here as I will likely be playing this classic stalker on the bottom end of my forecast tickets. You’ll find Cape Blanco trading as high as 13/2 with some bookmakers and I think if he drifts up to 8/1 on raceday then I think playing him in a reverse forecast with Workforce becomes justifiable.
Globetrotting 7 year-old Youmzain (Sinndar) hasn’t scored in over two years but will be looking to pull off a respectable finish here. I think he’s a contender for your forecast tickets at a 12/1 price but I’m just unconvinced if he can dispose of the up-and-coming talent available here. He has run against the best his entire career, finishing second to Sea the Stars (Cape Cross) in the Group 1 Arc de Triomphe. He has shown and placed at Ascot in previous runs - lukewarm at best.
Daryakana (Selkirk) ran third to Youmzain and the talented Plumania (Anabaa) in a fairly tight Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud, a group 1 contest at the namesake French racecourse. This defending Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase Champion has a Group 1 victory under his belt and has taken five wins from 7 runs with two third place finishes this year. He’s been there-or-thereabouts and could step up here and progress but he needs a very specific set of circumstances to get this elusive score. A lengthy 14/1.
Dar Re Mi (Singspiel) took the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse this year and finished a disappointing fourth from five in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse. The Watership Down-bred bay mare will likely get to the front early here and could set a pretty brisk pace. With so many closers in the mix here I think we could see a shift in tactics from the Gosden stable. Another tough bet who needs a lot to go in their direction. 15/1 looks a little short to me.
AP O’Brien’s At First Sight (Galileo) ran an impressive second to Workforce in the 2010 Epsom Derby but just doesn’t look to be progressing lately. I am also concerned that this colt was race three times last month in two Group 1 contests and a Group 2. If this one isn’t completely tuckered out he could be worth an each-way at a lengthy 50/1 with Ladbrokes. Paddy Power is offering up At First Sight at a massive 100/1. If he came in second, a Workforce/At First Sight forecast would pay very nice dividends.
Confront (Nayef) is another Sir Michael Stoute charge and the five year-old gelding has had a torrid 2010 after a fairly impressive season last year. A disappointing 7/10 in a Listed race at Sandown is the likely reason for the massive 200/1 price. A jockey change also doesn’t work in his favour.