King George runners and tips: Your top pinstickers’ guide to Saturday’s prestigious contest at Ascot
Sunracing run you through the contenders for the King George at Ascot racecourse on Saturday
Crystal can crank up the pressure on his rivals in the King George.
Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Ocean can bring home the bacon and remain unbeaten so far this season.
The progressive four-year-old was impressive at Royal Ascot and can win again.
Cracksman 3/5
You'd be crackers to back this one. Very talented horse under the right conditions, as when showing when bolting up in the Champion Stakes and Prix Ganay. Needs rain to produce best though, and that's unlikely to happen.
Crystal Ocean 5/5
Can make waves. Returned a much improved performer this season with three emphatic Group wins. Superb in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot last time and with more improvement expected, he can take this prize.
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Desert Encounter 2/5
Deserting this fellow would be wise. Beaten fair and square by Poet's Word twice this season. No reason why he should turn that around, though did show a bit more in a Listed race last weekend. Tilting at windmills.
Poet's Word 4/5
More Shakespeare than Dr Seuss. Stoute's other contender has also made massive strides this year. Emphatic defeat of Cracksman in Prince of Wales's Stakes means he is the form pick. Needs to prove this longer trip suits.
Salouen 2/5
Don't be sally. Game four-year-old is getting better with age and produced nice performances in Coronation Cup and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time. Needs to improve to win, though, and not sure rattling ground suits.
Coronet 3/5
Trumpets will sound for this one. Filly gets weight and possibly should have won French Group 1 last time. Improved this season but will need big career best to threaten top two in the market.
Hydrangea 2/5
Sour flower. Poor last time when favourite at Royal Ascot. Now races against males and on recent form nowhere near good enough. Top trainer but yard not in great form and can be passed over.
Rostropovich 2/5
Cello darkness my old friend. Not good enough to win Irish Derby last time but got close. Needs to better that form to win here but still has potential. Place chance.