Don’t Underestimate The Corsican

Having already landed the Derby and Eclipse, Golden Horn (1/2) will on Saturday go in search of a third consecutive Group 1 via the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Horn To Blow Them Away Again?
John Gosden’s star colt has already gone down as one of the best Derby winners in recent years, and the form of his Epsom victory was handsomely franked by the runner-up, Jack Hobbs, who took the Irish equivalent. Golden Horn then went about adding further glamour to his equine CV when showing his versatility in making all the running back at 1m2f in Sandown’s Eclipse.

That career best in slamming The Grey Gatsby over 3l put Golden Horn on an official rating of 130, which is 6lb clear of his nearest rival on Saturday in Snow Sky (7/1) on 124. A repeat of that last effort at Sandown will make Golden Horn very difficult to beat, although he’ll need to be special in attempting the Eclipse/King George double, as Opera House was the last to achieve that feat back in 1993.

Others, however, will see Golden Horn as an opportunity to make 50% of their stakes invested at odds of 1/2, especially as he comes from the fancied end of the betting, which has been favoured in this race in recent times…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 King George winners…

10 were 3-4yo’s – others were 0-27
9 returned 8/1 or shorter
9 made the top two last time
8 ran in a Group 1 last time
J Gosden, Sir M Stoute & A O’Brien won it twice apiece

Snow Will Enjoy A Test
As for the aforementioned, Snow Sky, then Sir Michael Stoute’s colt also achieved a career best last time when landing a second consecutive Group 2 this term in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last month (1m4f, good to firm). Stoute’s 4yo certainly has bags of stamina, having won over 1m6f previously, and the manner in which he has progressed suggests a truly-run race could see him in the frame.

Elsewhere, Golden Horn’s stablemate, Eagle Top (13/2), seemed well held by Snow Sky in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot last month to the tune of almost 4l, and it’s difficult to see that being reversed, especially as he hasn’t faced soft ground (could prevail if rain arrives).

Each-Way Value
Each-way punters looking at the bigger prices may see Andre Fabre’s 5yo, Flintshire, as a possible option at 12/1. A dual Group 1 winner over 1m4f, he has also been runner-up at this level during his last three outings, and can be relied upon to put in another solid effort.

Luca Cumani’s Postponed (12/1) is also consistent, if lacking winning potential at this level. This 4yo was a Group 2 winner over 1m4f at York last summer when beating Snow Sky over 2l, but was beaten almost 4l by the same rival at Ascot last month.

Don’t Underestimate The Corsican

One who does stand out at the prices is David Simcock’s 4yo, The Corsican (14/1), who has improved in each of his seven career outings,

…and could be classed as unlucky when beaten over 3l in his first Group 1 at Ascot last month (1m2f, good to firm). Blocked in the straight before finishing well, The Corsican has won over 1m4f and could have more to come.

Recommended Bets
Every millimetre of rain forecast will have an impact on the outcome, and while Golden Horn is massively respected, his tough season may catch up with him soon, which could offer each-way value to The Corsican (14/1). Unlucky in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, he is still unexposed over 1m4f and won’t mind any rain.

*Prices correct at time of publication