WHO WILL BE THE KING OF ASCOT?

Paul Ferguson looks forward to the main action from a busy high summer, starting with the King George VI

- Paul Ferguson

Before we get into August, there is the small matter of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which takes place at Ascot on Saturday July 29 and we look set for a re-match between the Derby first and second.

Auguste Rodin prevailed by just half-a-length at Epsom and has, of course, since supplemented that success in the Irish Derby at the Curragh. The Deep Impact colt is sure to be popular, as he looks to provide Aidan O'Brien with a fifth win in the middle-distance, summer showpiece.

However, King Of Steel was having just his third ever start in the Derby and was making his belated reappearance, so can be expected to step forward from that. Indeed, he did just that when running out a thoroughly convincing winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, so we know that he handles the track and he heads back to Berkshire on an upward curve and open to considerable improvement.

Roger Varian's Wootton Bassett colt was considered for a trip to Longchamp for the Grand Prix de Paris, but instead waits for the King George and he can exact revenge on his Epsom conqueror.

With Eclipse second Emily Upjohn a possible, alongside Hardwicke winner Pyledriver and Brigadier Gerard first and second - Hukum and Desert Crown - we could be in for a fantastic renewal of the 12-furlong Group 1. Last year's Derby winner can be expected to come forward from his Sandown return, but hasn't had a clear run since and it will be difficult to win a race of this magnitude particularly one which looks (potentially) so strong on the back of an interrupted preparation.

Glorious Goodwood starts just three days later and the Group 1 Goodwood Cup is the highlight on the opening day (Tuesday 1st August). John and Thady Gosden and big-spending owners Wathnan Racing look to hold a very strong hand, with the unbeaten pairing of Courage Mon Ami and Gregory both among the early entries.