Dave Massey is back ahead of King George Day at Ascot 2026, ahead of a stellar field for the mile and a half Gp1 contest. Read his exclusive preview below.
King George Day at Ascot 2026
Last year I put up Bayraat as a likely each-way candidate for this and for the second year running in this race he hit the frame, David Noonan conjuring a late run out of him to get the bronze medal. After that, Bayraat seemed to rather go into the doldrums and he started this season off on a a 9lb lower mark. However, you can’t fault what he’s doing this season, three seconds and a win from four starts and he looks rejuvenated at the age of ten.
King George Day at Ascot: Bayraat (1:30)
This, of course, is a tougher task, most of that form coming in Class 5 company but we know the conditions of this race suit him really well and Caolin Quinn, who somewhat remarkably is 2-2 in these jump jockeys Flat races in the last five years, takes the ride. More to do then, but not hard to see him running another very solid race and he once again should reward each-way backers with the extra place on offer.
King George Day at Ascot: Stratusnine (2:00)
Stratusnine (2.00) has plenty going for him here. He did all but win over five furlongs here at the end of May, form that has worked out really well, beaten just a head and off the back of that went to chance his arm in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was far from disgraced there, finishing eighth, but looking like that 7f trip just stretched him somewhat.
Back to six at Chester last time, he was handed the worst of the draw, stall 9 of 9, and did not get the best of passages either, forced quite wide on the home turn but still only beaten three-quarters of a length. He’s fared better with the draw here, stall 9 near the potential pace and with everything now seemingly in his favour, trip, track and ground all ideal, he can get his head back in front again.
King George Day at Ascot: Golden Mind (2:55)
I think the first thing to say here is; where’s the pace going to come from? Not one of these is what you’d call a confirmed front-runner, not one of them has led in their last five starts and the vast majority like to be held-up in well-run races to come with their challenges. It has all the potential to turn into a very messy race very quickly,
Golden Mind (2.55) made all to score in heavy ground at the back end of last year at Doncaster (over 6f) which does at least signify he’d be okay on the front end if Ryan Sexton was so inclined, and he did finish a close fourth in the Victoria Cup over this C&D earlier in the year when again he raced prominently. Stall 14 is probably a good one to work from and he might be allowed to dictate his own fractions here; despite top weight, that might make him the one to beat.
King George Day at Ascot: Kalpana (3:35)
A crackerjack of a race in store, with the best horse in Europe, Calandagan, looking to repeat last year’s win against a stellar and truly international field, Masquerade Ball from Japan, Benvenato Cellini and Minnie Hauk from Ireland and Kalpana representing the home team. Neither should we forget Goliath, surprise winner of this back in 2024 and a multiple G1 winner. What a race!
I think the value might lie in backing Kalpana (3.35) each-way. She has a length to find with Calandagan on last year’s running but Oisin Murphy probably did a bit too much too soon on then, kicking on a full two furlongs out and giving Calandagan a target to aim in the final furlong, one he gratefully took advantage of.
She looked back to near her best when once again travelling like the best horse in the Hardwicke Stakes, just finding Giavellotto a short head too good, and I suspect this time Colin Keane will be at pains not to use her potent turn of foot too soon. Ascot clearly suits her well, she should get the race run to suit, and looks sure to run her race again.
By Dave Massey
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