Despite only attracting a field of six, the 1m4f Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes on Friday of Royal Ascot has the potential to be a top-class affair.
Four of the six runners engaged ran in the Epsom Derby and the race has produced some good winners in the past, such as Old Persian, Japan, and subsequent Ascot Group 1 winner Pyledriver. King Of Steel is an exciting late entry to the contest, having finished second in the Epsom Derby. A winner on debut at Nottingham, he was switched to Roger Varian in March and targeted at the Classic for his stable bow. Settled in the midfield by Kevin Stott, King Of Steel made good headway at the three furlong marker and kicked for home with two furlongs to go, drawing clear of the pack before being caught by Auguste Rodin at the line. Kevin Stott was self-critical in the post-race interviews about his ride on the inexperienced (three starts) Wootton Bassett colt, but it's difficult to see King Of Steel beating Auguste Rodin in differing circumstances. He faces a considerably more straightforward task at the Royal meeting and the return to a flatter track will be a positive for an inexperienced colt.
An impressive six-and-a-half length winner of the Group 3 Chester Vase on soft ground on seasonal reappearance, Arrest did not appear to handle the unique undulations of Epsom Downs and finished a well-beaten tenth. The colt was a juvenile winner over a mile on good-to-firm ground and although he would have to reverse the form with Dubai Mile, who he finished a head second behind in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on heavy going, a return to a sounder surface may see an improved performance.
Aidan O'Brien's Continuous was very disappointing in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and is probably better judged on his third behind the Foxes in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York prior. He settled in the midfield and made a bid in the final furlong to dead heat for third, one-and-a-half lengths behind the winner. He was unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile and offers a nice profile if a line is put through the Chantilly run.
Dubai Mile could be overpriced at 20/1 with proven form on good-to-firm ground. The Roaring Lion colt was a three-time winner as a juvenile, including in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud ahead of Arrest and produced a big effort at 33/1 when fifth in the 2000 Guineas on seasonal reappearance. He ran disappointingly in the Epsom Derby when ninth and could be incorrectly disregarded in the market as a soft ground performer.
Winner of both his first two starts in novice company, Artistic Star went into the Epsom Derby as an inexperienced horse and probably out-ran expectations when a staying-on seventh. He lacks experience and it's difficult to assess his true level after that performance, but the Galileo colt looks a possible St Leger horse in the making. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Ralph Beckett's charge run into a place if a strong tempo is set.
WIN: KING OF STEEL
PLACE: ARTISTIC STAR
