SUN CLASSIQUE KING GEORGE?

Bookmakers betting

Soldier of fortune 28/10, new approach 5/1, tartan bearer, peeping fawn, sun classique, youmzain all 8/1.

Note! Sun Classique 33/1 with Betfair, so we can guess no run?




AIDAN O'BRIEN is responsible for 21 of the 50 entries received for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 26.

Heading up the Ballydoyle squad are recent Coronation Cup winner Soldier Of Fortune, last year's champion filly Peeping Fawn, Doncaster Cup winner Septimus and dual Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats.

In an attempt to attract the leading players from the three-year-old generation, the race has recently been boosted by £100,000, meaning prize money now totals £850,000.

The first three home in the Derby last week, New Approach, Tartan Bearer and Casual Conquest, all hold entries.

Along with Epsom runner-up Tartan Bearer, Sir Michael Stoute has Ask, Spanish Moon, Papal Bull, Maraahel and Hi Calypso in his team.

Other interesting entries include Getaway,Geordieland, Lucarno, Phoenix Tower, "SUN CLASSIQUE" and Youmzain.

Former St Leger winner Sixties Icon holds an entry and has looked in much better nick this season, finishing second to Getaway at Newmarket before securing a confidence-boosting victory at Goodwood.

He is set to head to Royal Ascot before a possible tilt at the Arlington Million.

"We have two options with him and I am not ruling either in or out," said trainer Jeremy Noseda, looking ahead to the Royal meeting.

"We will look at the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and see what we think but I still say the Hardwicke is the first preference.

"I am hoping if he went well, I could have a possible tilt at the Arlington Million and at least have a crack at a top quality mile-and-a-quarter race."

Morning Scotia

Seems like you are very much looking forward to Ascot. I see that the horse that you fancied for the Derby, Twice Over, is running in the St James stakes on the 16th. Also in that field is Henrythenavigator at 1/2.

Morning Mori, yes I am, will give it my full attention over the weekend, but up to my ears at present. I will be having a bit 8/1/10/1?? to beat Henry, but a few good bets at Ascot and hope the Sun Classique keeps in the race for the 26th?? and have left a couple of quid at 35/1 for the punters on ABC just in case? mind you its a poor price if its a non runner!hehe!

good punting!

Is the "gut feel" worth a bit 50/1?


Sun Classique won the Dubai Sheema Classic when last seen in March

SUN CLASSIQUE and Archipenko, who both struck at Group 1 level for Mike De Kock on their most recent outings, are in flying form as the South African trainer maps out respective British campaigns.

Sun Classique won the Dubai Sheema Classic when last seen in March, while Aidan O'Brien's former inmate Archipenko secured the QE II Cup at Sha Tin towards the end of April.

Both horses have a few options during their time in Britain,but De Kock has formulated a probable plan of attack.

"They are both going very, very well and I'm more than happy with the pair of them," he said.
"Archipenko, at this stage and providing everything continues to go well, will start off at Ascot in the Summer Mile on July 12.

"I have got the filly in the King George at Ascot but my gut feeling is that we'll probably go for the Nassau at Goodwood and maybe the Yorkshire Oaks.

"Our main mission with her is the Arc later in the year but both horses are going well at the moment."

Dave she looks a great bet for the Nassau - all the best mate

SUN CLASSIQUE could come under consideration for the Blue Square Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on August 2 should connections decide to side step an attempt at the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 26.

The Mike de Kock-trained mare was in action on the July Course on Wednesday morning where she worked with Ascot Summer Mile-hope Archipenko (Graham Howes) over 7f.

Archipenko was equipped with blinkers for his latest exercise spin and they appeared to have the desired effect as he travelled better than the five-year-old mare, but she is notorious for being lazy in her work and there was little despondency from her work rider and assistant to the South African trainer Trevor Brown.

Brown said: “The ground was a bit fast for her and she likes a little more juice but we were happy with her.

“Archipenko is a lot closer to a run at Ascot on July 12 and he is sharper than her and she will have more work before she runs.

“She has the King George and the Nassau Stakes as a couple of option and the boss will decide when he gets back to Newmarket but it would be a question of whether she would handle the track at Goodwood and we would have to take her there and gallop her there to find out.”
Sun Classique won the Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba at the end of March by two and three quarter lengths from Viva Pataca but had previously shown her effectiveness over a shorter trip atthat courses when overcoming trouble in running to beat Many Colours in the Listed Balanchine Stakes over 1m1f.

Archipenko won the Group 1 Audemars Piquet Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Sha Tin in April and appears to have fully adjusted to his stay in Newmarket.

Brown added: “Archipenko is coming along nicely and the Summer Mile would be a likely race for him but at the moment it's looking like it could be more like a Group 1 race.”

Officials at Ascot have not yet given up all hope of attracting world champion racehorse Curlin for the King George VI.

Spokesman Nick Smith said: "We haven't given up, and we would not be doing our jobs if we were not still trying to persuade them to supplement him. I went back to the owners on Wednesday, but it is very unlikely we will get him here."

The most recent post on MDK's sire says:

"We hope to run Archipenko in the Summer Mile on 12 July and we’re debating whether to run Sun Classique in the Falmouth Stakes on 9 July."

Falmouth not an option anymore?

As I said above Dave I think the 'Nassau' will be the race - unless she doesn't act on the course - which I very much doubt!

Either way mate - I'll do whatever I can to get to see her in the flesh, and cheer the Champ into the winners enclosure.

Jim.