Nap of the Day: Ascot’s midsummer highlight is booked for export

Some brilliant racing on Saturday, as ever, but one contest stands out. It might not arguably have the romance and drama of some previous renewals but the King George is a standout highlight of any flat season, no matter who is heading to post.

We've certainly got two mighty fine G1 winners at the top of the market, and it's one of these that I see as my best bet for Saturday. Kindly read on ...

Ascot 16:10 - the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Fast Racing Results

16:10 Ascot - Calandagan @ 6/4

Calandagan has been called the odd rude name on occasion because cruising beautifully through a race and challenging on the bridle usually leads to a glorious stroll into the winners' enclosure. That's not always been the case with this talented four-year-old gelded son of Gleneagles.

See file marked 'Epsom,' in the Coronation Cup at the Betfred Derby meeting, when he looked for all the world like the winner in circumstances similar to those described above.

Today's main rival however Jan Brueghel had other ideas, and was galvanised by Ryan Moore to repel the French raider who sports the legendary Aga Khan silks.

Since then Calandagan has sluiced up in a Saint-Cloud G1 which was extremely encouraging in the context of this race, because if the usual script is to be adhered to he'll come there swinging and then it's hold your breath time regarding what he's likely to find off the steel.

This is probably not a conveyance for the faint of heart to get too involved with but I can't believe he won't find enough off the bridle to see these opponents off, in a race that could become tactical given the small field. He travels, and he's got a turn of foot - priceless attributes in any race, however the cards are dealt.

He has to be played just right and delivered to perfection it seems, but if the Saint-Cloud blueprint can be replicated (perhaps he's turned a corner, he said, hopefully) then I think we'll be cheering him home on Saturday afternoon in what's not a vintage King George but it may yet still provide a very able winner.

At time of tipping him up he's 6/4, which I consider to be a decent price. Any odds-against and I'm happy. It's bound to be exciting, so let's enjoy the spectacle!

Nap Of The Day with Betfred Insights.