Calandagan (15:35 Ascot — King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Group 1, 1m 4f)
The highlight of the flat summer and the race that defines the best middle-distance horse in Europe. Calandagan, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard for the Aga Khan and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, is the defending champion and arrives here in peak condition. He won this race twelve months ago, won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the start of this month at 1/3, and has a 100% record at this course and distance from two starts.
His Epsom fourth in June can be completely ignored — that undulating track has always been his Achilles heel. Back at Ascot on good to firm ground, which he handles at a 71% win rate, everything is set fair. Barzalona has partnered him to six wins from ten rides together and Graffard, who knows this horse better than anyone, was always pointing him here.
Nine runners, but none can match his record at this track on this ground.
Verdict: Back to win at 7/4 — defending champion, course specialist, in form, and the one to beat. 🏇
